Quest for self assertion in the fiction of Shobha De and Manju Kapur

Abstract

The dissertation aims to discuss the feminist quest for self-assertion in the newlineselect novels of Shobha De and Manju Kapur, the two contemporary eminent Indian newlineEnglish women writers. In the novels of many women writers, there is a necessary newlinesearch for female identity which is the central concern of contemporary Indian women newlinewriters in English. Their writings have become a mighty means of self-actualization, newlineself-expression, self-liberation, and self-assertion. The quest for self-assertion is the newlinemode of the search for one s individuality and identity; one s striving to get total newlinefreedom in various fields such as- social, economic, moral, emotional, financial and newlineon sexual grounds as well. It is the approach of expressing one s wishes needs and newlinerights to represent the self . The research encompasses the works of these two writers newlinewhose writings are the projection of a new vision of Indian women. newlineAbout the Writers: Shobha De born on 7th January 1948 in Maharashtra, newlineIndia, is an author, columnist, and novelist. During the course of her career in newlinejournalism, she founded and edited three magazines- Stardust, Society, and Celebrity. newlineIn her columns, she used to depict the socialite living in Mumbai and the life of the newlinecelebrities. At present, she is a self-employed writer and contributor for several newlinenewspapers and magazines. Her fictional works that shot into prominence are newlineSocialite Evenings (1989), Starry Nights (1990), Strange Obsession (1992), Sisters newline(1992), Sultry Days (1994) and Second Thoughts (1996) etc. newline