Two Buttons Down

by Ramanjaneya Sharaph

Two Buttons Down is a story that challenges stereotypes of ability and meritocracy in a male dominated world, a world in which even the women have to confirm to accepted stereotypes. The story, through its protagonist, pushes the boundaries of society's notions of a woman's sexuality and its debonair use, and raises unsettling questions on what is acceptable and what is not. And who will the judge be? Society? Men? Women themselves? Or the reader?
The story is published by TMYS (Tell Me Your Story), a literary quarterly, in the December 2020 issue.

10 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ermelinda Makkimane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Buttons Down - a short story about a woman having to report to a disciplinary committee since a complaint of a sexual nature has been filed against her.

When I first read this story, I bristled with righteous indignation. Why was this male author presenting such a low model of womanly behavior? And then, the words of the protagonist fluttered down, "Why play the full price when you can get the same thing at a bargain?" These words are problematic. There is both an attempt to 'liberate' notions of womanly propriety and a sub conscious male gaze that labels such behavior as a "bargain".

Still, who decides which behavior is proper? The intellectual ones? Or the one displaying her physicality? This story throws up more questions than it answers. While the end is acceptable for a short story, what would this look like in a full-fledged novel? There's scope for developing this further.

Recommended!

[Shalini Mullick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well told story , very relatable ...and leaves us with a question to ponder on

[Anita Nandini · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made for a quick read and is reflective of how sometimes some women do leverage their looks to get things done. In the era of me too/equal pay / and other interventions being raised in the interest of women , this story brings to consciousness another point. It also brings to light a society where good looks serve as social currency / opens many doors without challenges .That even with all the changes a lot of the old reality exists. While intially the character is annoying , it later makes u chuckle when there is a old girls club that is trying to run their own ring ! Overall a breezy quick read

[AK SACHDEV]

In the first sentence, Pruthvee, the protagonist, grabbed my attention and did not let me go until she closed the door behind her at the end of the story. Her thought continued to remain with me, though, for a much longer time. Ramananjeya's portrayal of an earthy girl next door who stumbled on to her sexuality by default, and then exploited it with pragmatism, is very convincing and compels the reader's empathy towards her rather effortlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed that story and hope there are some more coming from that author!

[Rishiraj Sethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

having worked with raman in the corporate space, i can see how he is putting his rich experience and background to great use.. clearly he knows how to push the right buttons as a writer too..