GENDER AND POWER DYNAMICS IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN'S WRITING
Department of Linguistics,
National Institute of Arts & Languages, India
Contemporary South Asian women's writing serves as a powerful lens through which to examine the intricate interplay of gender and power within patriarchal, postcolonial, and diasporic contexts. This article explores how women authors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and their diasporas challenge traditional power structures, including patriarchy, colonialism, caste systems, and globalization, through their narratives. Drawing on feminist theories such as intersectionality, subaltern studies, and postcolonial feminism, the study analyzes key works by authors like Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kamila Shamsie, and others to reveal how female characters negotiate agency, resistance, and identity amid oppressive dynamics.
The literature review synthesizes scholarly discussions on gender representation in South Asian fiction, highlighting themes of silence, resistance, and transformation. The methodology employs qualitative literary analysis informed by feminist and postcolonial frameworks to dissect narrative strategies and thematic elements. Case studies focus on specific novels, such as Roy's The God of Small Things, Lahiri's The Namesake, and Shamsie's Burnt Shadows, illustrating real-world parallels in gender power imbalances.
Findings underscore the diversity of South Asian feminisms, emphasizing how women's writing disrupts hegemonic discourses and fosters empowerment. The article suggests that these narratives not only reflect societal inequalities but also envision pathways for gender equity. Tables and figures are integrated to visualize key authors, themes, and historical timelines, enhancing the analytical depth. Ultimately, this research contributes to broader discourses on global feminism by centering South Asian perspectives, advocating for inclusive literary criticism that acknowledges cultural specificities.
Nair, M. V. & Chatterjee, P. S. (2025). Gender and Power Dynamics in Contemporary South Asian Women's Writing. International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, Volume 01(03), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v1i3.005
Nair, Meera, and Priya Chatterjee. "Gender and Power Dynamics in Contemporary South Asian Women's Writing." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, vol. Volume 01, no. 03, 2025, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v1i3.005.
Nair, Meera, and Priya Chatterjee. "Gender and Power Dynamics in Contemporary South Asian Women's Writing." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology Volume 01, no. 03 (2025): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v1i3.005.
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