“Though not Colorful, Its Fragrance is Delightful” The Presentation of the Concept of “Perfectly Virtuous Woman” in the Novel, Ratri Pradap Dao

Abstract

V. Vinicchayakul’s Ratri Pradap Dao is a historical novel that narrates the life of a female heroine during the Siamese revolution of 1932. This article seeks to examine the significance of the notion of ‘Kulasatri’ (perfectly virtuous woman) as depicted in the novel, along with an analysis of the author's strategies employed to convey this concept. An analysis of the literary elements reveals that Kulasatri, as depicted in the novel, is not inherently from an upper-class background; rather, she is required to be educated, refined, and self-sufficient. V. Vinicchayakul elucidated this topic by using two literary strategies. The first strategy employs two contrasting female characters, the protagonist Kate and the antagonist Nuethong, to symbolize distinct archetypes of womanhood. The second technique pertains to the development of the conflict in the narrative, wherein Nath, Kate's husband, engages in an extramarital affair with Nuethong. The conflict escalates when Nath opts not to align with the Siamese revolutionaries, as Nuethong desires, ultimately affirming Kate as his genuine love. The findings indicate that, on the one hand, the portrayal of Kulasatri in the novel diverges from historical interpretations, as the author refrains from associating virtuous women solely with upper-class lineage, and instead defines them by their comportment, exemplified by Kate, a daughter of a local family in Phetchaburi. On the other hand, the author's concept of Kulasatri reflects a conventional perspective of virtuous women, predicated on moral virtues such as fidelity to one's husband and devotion to the children. Consequently, it may be asserted that the notion of Kulasatri in the novel is ‘moderately progressive’.