A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE REPRESENTATION OF FEMALE PROTAGONISTS IN THE MAJOR NOVELS OF ANITA DESAI

Abstract

Anita Desai was born in the year 1937 and is one of the popular writers of India. She is popular due to her efforts to bring psychological realism to Indian English literature. Most of her novels reflect the emotions, problems, and complications faced by her characters, mostly women with issues of loneliness and identity. The present research paper attempts to discuss critically the development of the female protagonists in the novels written by Anita Desai, who is an acclaimed writer known for psychological realism in Indian English literature. In the works of Anita Desai, women are portrayed as complex individuals facing issues related to their identity and alienation, marital disharmony, and socio-cultural constraints. There is a definite development in terms of the portrayal of female characters in the novels written by Anita Desai, from being psychologically unstable and socially isolated, as seen in the case of Maya in "Cry, the Peacock" and Monisha in "Voices in the City", to self-aware, self-reliant, and independent ones like Sita in "Where Shall We Go This Summer?", Nanda Kaul in "Fire on the Mountain", Bimla in "Clear Light of Day", and Uma in "Fasting, Feasting". The study further draws attention to the fact that Desai uses psychological elements, symbols, and an inward approach in narrating women’s internal struggles. Through comparing the chosen characters, one notices a significant change in theme whereby the despair and vulnerability of women give way to strength and self-awareness. Overall, through her novels, Desai shows the evolving position of women in society.