Feminism in Contemporary British and Indian English Fiction

This book is an attempt to study contemporary British and Indian English fiction from the standpoint of feminism. The writers that have been focused are: Iris Murdoch, Doris Lessing, Margaret Drabble, Kamala Markandaya, Nayantara Sahgal, Anita Desai and Shashi Deshpande. There are references to many other writers as well in the process of discussion. None of the female writers examined in this study claim to be a feminist. In fiction, the women writers appear to be seeking freedom from the male version of women by speaking out, naming, defining and deconstructing themselves. The British portrayal of the inner world of female psyche happens to be amazingly diverse, ambiguous and multivalent. In matters of love, sexuality and maternity, their characters not only reveal bizarre responses and secret logic but also daring self-assertion. The female consciousness in the Indian scenario also acquaints us with a variety of ways in which women respond to their inner urges and the environment. Though there is a spate of critical studies on feminism these days, yet it is hoped that this book, by virtue of its new approach to the subject, will surely be invaluable for all those interested in contemporary women writers or feminist issues.