GENDER AND SEXUALITY: A STUDY OF SHYAM SELVADURAI'S FUNNY BOY

Abstract

Shyam Selvadurai's Funny Boy (1994) is a significant postcolonial novel that explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and identity in Sri Lankan society. Through the experiences of the protagonist Arjie Chelvaratnam, the novel examines the challenges faced by individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles and heterosexual norms. Arjie's journey from childhood to adolescence reveals the social pressures that regulate gender expression and sexual behavior. The novel presents masculinity as a socially constructed ideal that often suppresses individuality and emotional freedom. It also portrays the awakening of same-sex desire and the difficulties of negotiating sexual identity in a conservative society. Furthermore, the narrative links personal struggles with broader ethnic tensions between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities, demonstrating how different forms of marginalization intersect. Through themes of resistance, self-discovery and identity formation, Selvadurai critiques patriarchal structures and heteronormative expectations. This study analyzes the representation of gender and sexuality in Funny Boy and explores how the novel challenges dominant social norms. By examining Arjie's experiences, the paper highlights the complexities of growing up as a queer individual within a society shaped by patriarchy, cultural traditions and ethnic conflict. Ultimately, Funny Boy emerges as a powerful narrative of self-expression and resistance against oppressive social structures.