FEMINISM IN THE NOVELS OF SUDHA MURTY WITH REFERENCE TO 'MAHASWETA' and 'GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA'

Abstract

The present study explores feminism in the novels Mahasweta and Gently Falls the Bakula by Sudha Murty. The research focuses on the portrayal of women’s struggles, identity, emotional suffering, and self-realization within the patriarchal structure of Indian society. Through the characters of Anupama and Shrimati, Sudha Murty highlights issues such as gender discrimination, emotional neglect, social prejudice, and unequal marital relationships. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach based on secondary data collected from books, journals, articles, and literary reviews. A comparative analysis of the selected novels reveals that education, self-confidence, and emotional strength help women overcome oppression and attain independence. Sudha Murty’s feminist perspective emphasizes dignity, self-respect, and individuality rather than direct rebellion against tradition. The study concludes that her novels significantly contribute to feminist discourse in Indian English literature by presenting realistic experiences of middle-class Indian women.