Vol. 16, Issue 1, Jul-Dec 2023

Page: 99-107

NEGOTIATING FEMALE IDENTITY AND RESISTANCE WITHIN PATRIARCHAL STRUCTURES IN PRE-PARTITION INDIAN SOCIETY

Dr. Anu Singh

Received Date: 2020-10-18

Accepted Date: 2020-11-25

Published Date: 2020-11-29

Manju Kapur's paintings illustrate the voice of the contemporary Indian lady. A "New Woman" has developed, challenging the stereotype of Indian women and seeking self-identity and freedom in all aspects of life. Difficult Daughters provides a profound examination of the linkages among patriarchy, education, desire, and identity. The mother-daughter relationship in the story illustrates the conflict between tradition and modernity, emphasizing the transmission, resistance, and even rejection of traditional values by the younger generation. Virmati's experiences as a daughter illustrate the difficulties many women encounter in balancing familial devotion with personal autonomy. Her struggle is reflected in her daughter, who recounts the narrative from the future, so establishing a complex analysis of the formation of female identities throughout generations. Kapur illustrates the constraints placed on women via Virmati’s experiences, while simultaneously emphasizing their will to transcend conventional norms. Ultimately, the story posits that while patriarchal norms may constrain women's chances, the aspiration for self-definition persists. Kapur enhances our comprehension of the difficulties encountered by women pursuing autonomy within intricate cultural contexts by illustrating the emotional and social nuances of this fight.

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