From the cradle to the grave: a study of the problems confronting the female in indian writing in english

Abstract

Chapter I Introduction traces the position of women with respect to men in Indian society during various ages and highlights the emergence of women writers in the male-dominated Indian literary scenario. It also offers a brief bio-literary study of the authors chosen for the study. Chapter II entitled Nipped in the Bud analyses how problems start for females from the womb in the form of foeticide and extends even after birth as infanticide, and analyses the reasons behind these heartless practices and anchors them in Indian cultural practices and patriarchal stranglehold.Chapter III entitled Vanishing Joys brings to light gender bias faced by a girl child and the atrocities perpetrated against her such as female child labour, female child sexual abuse and child marriage. This chapter emphasizes that child education and the guidance of the parents play a vital role in fighting against these odds. Chapter IV entitled A Battle for Freedom unfolds the problems such as abduction, rape, unwed motherhood, lesbian relationship, and drug peddling to which the adolescent girls are exposed. As it probes into the reasons for the problems, it offers possible solution.Chapter V entitled The Dark Side of the Family captures the sufferings undergone by the women due to demand of dowry and the ensuing hardships in married life including domestic violence due to male chauvinism. This chapter points out society s attitude towards barren women and widows. Chapter VI entitled Island of Despair depicts the predicament of single women in a male-dominated society. It stresses on the need for a change in societal attitude towards singleness as a curse and a change in the economic status of the single women. Chapter VII Conclusion sums up the issues taken up for analysis and suggests ways and means to alleviate the problems. This chapter also discusses the stylistic devices and techniques adopted by the authors to highlight the predicament of the females from the womb to the tomb.