Comparative Study of Women Characters in the Works of Kamala Markandaya and Nayantara Sahgal

Name of Author : Pooja Vasudeva

Abstract: This paper presents a detailed comparative analysis of women characters in the novels of Kamala Markandaya and Nayantara Sahgal, two prominent voices in Indian English literature. Both writers have made significant contributions to the representation of women’s experiences in post-independence India, though their thematic concerns and narrative contexts differ considerably. Markandaya’s works primarily focus on rural life, poverty, and the socio-economic struggles of women, while Sahgal’s novels explore the lives of urban, educated women navigating political, social, and personal challenges. Through a comparative study of their major works, this paper examines how both authors portray women’s identity, resistance, and transformation. It highlights the differences and similarities in their treatment of gender roles, social constraints, and the quest for autonomy, ultimately demonstrating how both writers contribute to the evolving discourse on women’s empowerment in Indian literature.

Keywords : gender roles, social constraints, and the quest for autonomy

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