The Spectacle of Societal Attitudes on Sexual Violence and Rape in Manjula Padmanabhan’s Lights Out.

Author(s)	Dr. Jan Mohmad Pandit
Country	India
Abstract	This paper explores the societal attitudes towards sexual violence and rape as depicted in Manjula Padmanabhan’s play Lights Out (2020). It delves into how the play critiques the male-dominated societal structures that normalize and perpetuate rape culture. Focusing on themes of casual attribution towards rape victims, the paper investigates how society’s dismissive and prejudiced attitudes towards survivors contribute to victim-blaming. Through a critical analysis, this paper explores the male proclivity for rape, the objectification of women, and the voyeuristic tendencies embedded within gender dynamics. It also examines how societal expectations predict attitudes towards rape victims, including the normalization of violence through the subjugation of women and the enforcement of gender norms. The paper highlights how Lights Out illuminates these societal flaws, questioning the conformity of gender roles and challenging the pervasive violence against women. Ultimately, the research underscores the significance of addressing these attitudes and practices to foster a more equitable and just society.
Keywords	Rape proclivity, Societal attitudes, Gender norms, Subjugation, Objectification
Field	Sociology > Linguistic / Literature
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-23
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67277

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