Exploring Female Identity A Comparative Study of the Selected Novels of Shashi Deshpande and Mridula Garg

Abstract

Female identity is a very complicated concept in the contemporary era. In addition newlineto that, it becomes more complicated when discussed in reference to gender newlinesocialisation, violence, and exploitation. Women have been viewed and perceived newlinewithin the constructed patriarchal structure of gender difference. In the domain of newlinepatriarchal culture, the woman is a social construct. The present research work newlinetries to probe into the silences, subordination and voices of exploited women by newlineundertaking a comparative study of the selected novels of Shashi Deshpande and newlineMridula Garg by using feminism as a theoretical framework. The contemporary newlinewrites are critiquing the unspoken voices to explore their exploitation in various newlinedomains. Feminism is a highly innovative concept representing a significant newlinedeparture from the traditional mode of critical evaluation. In the selected novels newlineboth the writers represent the series of female characters who have exploited. newlineThey project realistically the women s plight and exploitation in the patriarchal newlinesociety. It explores how men establish their masculine power and fulfil their desire newlineby assaulting women. Through the feminist theory, the present study tries to newlineexplore the female identity which is constructed by the socio-cultural aspect.