Women In Literature: Representation And Resistance

Abstract

                Literature can give delight and instruct the people about the cultural differences. It can be said that that literature depends on the people who are culturally and educationally advanced. The  novelist  may  find  clever  field  for  the  further  development  of  the  novel  as  a real  art  form. So  the novelist  must pay attention to the  fiction  which  needs  weight  as  well  as  intelligence. It  is  said  that  emergence  of  symbolism  and  naturalism in  the  literary work  perhaps indicates a tentative direction. Such a combination would allow the inclusion of the pressing events of the day. The infusion of a symbolic tradition into naturalism would transform minor items into major significance. So it would not cut  the writer  off  from  immediacies like local  politics, class structure, personal goals, the nature of ambition,  and  all  other  pressing  details  of daily existence. So the novel can give the definition of man in his society. Regarding the status of women in the Pre-Vedic period, the information is very scarce and ambiguous. Ancient scriptures and literature have accorded a high place to the woman by treating her as a paragon of beauty and virtue. In classical literature, women have been considered as embodiments of the elements of beauty in nature. The idea of pativrata was emphasized. It was believed that a woman finds fulfillment only as a wife or life-partner of a man. This image of the woman has persisted over succeeding generations and this idea contributed to the subordination and the low status accorded to woman in society. The new ideas and innovative thoughts specifically rooted in the social customs that affects the life style of the society. The social and moral principles were given new dimensions to motivate women of the modern world.