Alienation of Women in Uma Parameswaran’s The Sweet Smell of Mother’s Milk (Wet Bodice)

Alienation is a central concern in feminist literature, reflecting women’s estrangement from selfhood, autonomy, and voice within patriarchal societies. Uma Parameswaran’s The Sweet Smell of Mother’s Milk (Wet Bodice) presents a subtle yet powerful depiction of women’s alienation rooted in motherhood, domesticity, and cultural expectations. The novel dismantles the romanticized image of motherhood by revealing how women’s bodies, emotions, and identities are appropriated by family and society. Through evocative symbolism and intimate narration, Parameswaran exposes the emotional isolation, bodily objectification, and social marginalization faced by women, even within spaces where they are deemed most essential. This research paper examines the various dimensions of women’s alienation in the novel, focusing on emotional, bodily, domestic, and social aspects, and situates the text within feminist literary discourse.