From Devdas to Diversity: Ditching the Madonna-Whore Myth in Modern Love

Devdas is a man in love with Paro, a beautiful woman whom he and society see positively as an individual. She is portrayed as the ideal, virtuous woman who loves Devdas deeply. But then comes Chandramukhi, a courtesan who brings Devdas comfort. Although he loves Chandramukhi too, he cannot fully accept her due to her profession and the societal prejudices around it.

According to Assistant Professor Riddhita Parikh, In this modernized world females shoulder males on every front yet the patriarchal ideology leads to dual standards in judging women. Even today a man dreams of a life partner who is well educated, working and having forward thoughts. But at the same time, it is expected that she needs to excel in all the household chores and fulfil all the responsibilities of being a wife, mother and daughter-in-law. This creates undue pressure on the psychological and physiological well-being of the woman.

Does this sound familiar?

The Madonna-Whore Complex (also known as the Madonna-Mistress Complex) is a psychological concept where men view women in one of two ways: as either pure and good (a Madonna, who is a virgin and innocent, considered “wife” material) or as bad and promiscuous; a Whore, who is sexually liberated and defies societal norms. Devdas idolizes Paro and sees her as the epitome of purity and innocence. Chandramukhi, on the other hand, represents the “Whore” archetype. But where did this concept come from?

History

Sigmund Freud, a major figure in psychology, introduced this theory in 1908. The name Madonna is that of the Virgin Mary (not the singer) and then we have the Whore which means prostitute. Freud further illustrated how this dichotomy impacts men’s interactions with women and perceptions about them. He believed it existed because of the unresolved Oedipus Complex, where men idealize their mothers as Madonna and see other women as sexual objects. Melanie Klein later contributed to Freud by indicating that childhood attitudes influence men’s adult behaviour. But what about the Indian context? Does “I want a wife like my mother” sound familiar?

Is it that big of a deal?

It becomes difficult for men to satisfy their sexual and emotional needs for the same woman as this is bound to cause conflict all the time. They might respect and love women they consider “Madonnas,” but they could not fantasize about having sex with them. On the other hand, they could be sexually interested in ‘’whores’’ but cannot honour or cherish them. This concept is however a biased idea that is limited by patriarchal and gendered ideas where women are just put in a box and a label is attached to them. If a woman fails to meet any or most of these labels, she is judged, criticized, and denied emotional connection.

Read More: Are we still fighting the Patriarchy?

Is that it?

It is more prominent and exaggerated in media. Cinema has always depicted main women characters as ‘typical’ married women who love their families and are equally sacrificed while other women are often portrayed as mere side characters or not suitable for family. Media, literature, and cultural norms, as observed by sociologists and cultural theorists, portray that patriarchal society imposes a binary opposition. This is done by the constant portrayal of gender-specific expectations and roles. Research shows that this theory is also employed by advertisement agencies in the leading women’s magazines to satisfy various audiences.

Read More: How Media Influences Women’s Empowerment

But is it as Common?

The phenomenon is well recognized in India and is named the Sita-to-Menaka Complex. Sita from Ramayana is most accurately viewed as the epitome of the Madonna role model, who was majestic, chastised, and fully committed to dharma. Menaka, an apsara or celestial courtesan in Hindu mythology, is an iconic depiction of the “Whore” role. Her most famous story though is where she decides to seduce the sage Vishwamitra.

This concept is arguably evident in Bollywood movies since the majority of the women portray either the Madonna or the Whore figure. Some of the contemporary post-modern feminist scholars such as Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler as well as intersectional scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw research in this area and call for the erasure of these social tags on women.

According to Clinical Psychologist Akanksha Pandey, The Indian entertainment industry is evolving, with more layered female characters appearing. However, despite this progress, the industry still often falls back on simple stereotypes, portraying women as either perfect and virtuous or morally flawed. While appreciating the progress made, these binary portrayals still oversimplify women’s identities, often neglecting the complexities of real-life experiences.

But will it be like this Forever?

On the other side, Bollywood has movies like “Queen,” “Pink,” and “Mardaani” which depict women differently than the conventional image. There is some improvement that has been seen, but more people do need to be informed. Further studies need to be conducted to find out how this phenomenon affects romantic relationships, how such movies influence subsequent generations, and whether there are negative effects on women’s psychological well-being, self-image, and role identity.

What Can Men Do?

1. Acknowledge and Reflect: Reflect on whether your views on women are prejudiced. This may be easier said than done but it is necessary to try to become more aware and informed.
2. Reject Binary Thinking: Comprehend to learn that women are also human beings and cannot be just boxed into the Madonna/Whore dichotomy. Encourage representations of women that are positive and non-sexist.
3. Question Media: When examining the role of media analyze how women are represented and brainstorm ways to subvert those expectations.
4. Treat with Respect: Approach each other with understanding and politeness. There should always be healthy dialogue and efforts made towards healthy interactions and mutual respect.
5. Promote Positive Change: Try to identify the existing stereotypical thinking patterns and do not hesitate to question them. This not only helps women but also ensures healthier and happier relationships, as well as a more diverse society.

In conclusion, the Madonna-Whore Complex is more than just a cultural idea; it has deep effects on both men and women. It forces people into rigid roles and stereotypes, like wearing glasses that only show a limited view. To make progress, we need to clear these outdated views and see people for who they are. This shift will lead to more genuine and respectful relationships, and promote diversity and gender equality, creating a fairer and more understanding world.