A SOCIALIST-FEMINIST STUDY OF A GIRL IN THE RIVER: THE PRICE OF FORGIVENESS

Abstract

The present paper is a critical analysis of the documentary A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness using a Socialist-Feminist perspective, which covers honor killings in Pakistan. It examines the case of Saba, a young woman who was attempting to be honor killed by her father and uncle, after eloping with her fiancee. The paper provides a textual analysis in the documentary to explore the socio-economic constraints and cultural practices that lead to honor killings, and the way in which women work around these forms of patriarchy. It also examines how media especially documentaries can be used to create awareness and question negative practices in the society. The study will seek to appreciate the motive of honor killing and how the women survive in the patriarchal world. It highlights that legal changes should be made to eliminate impunity of criminals and it proposes societal transformation to stop the crime. In this way, the paper advances the feminist discussion and provides the understanding of how the movie and media can lead to social and legal changes.