Literature depicts how women's roles have changed over time. During the Victorian era, there was an ongoing dispute about women's duties. While the age was dominated by writers who presented women as heavenly figures—innocent, physically weaker, and nothing more than domestic commodities.
It is vital to give female characters in books more power. It provides women with someone to look up to and aspire to be like. On the other hand, reading about a strong woman may help improve confidence, which can be lacking in today's world.
The famous Indian author Anitha Nair said, “Literature has always been ambivalent in its representation of women. Good women as in ones who accepted societal norms were rewarded with happily ever after. Even feisty heroines eventually go onto find content and life's purpose in a good man's arms, be it Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) or Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre).”
However, women's contributions to oral folklore, including folk songs, stories, poetry, and literature as a whole, cannot be ignored. Here are a few books every woman must read.
Pride and Prejudice - Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Bennet, Jane Austen's literary heroine, is one of the most ferocious female literary characters ever penned. Lizzy has been a leading figure of rebellion and pride when it comes to fighting stereotypes regarding gender, societal, and cultural conventions.
Lizzie is self-assured and will not be persuaded by other people's preconceptions. She refuses to be intimidated by men and confronts them when they engage in unacceptable behaviour. She challenges others with her witty and cerebral retorts, rather than fury and petty remarks. She refuses to live up to the low expectations that others have put on her. She'd rather give up her financial security than be stuck in a loveless marriage with a man unworthy of her. She evaluates a man based on his values, not his physical looks. Rather than remaining in denial, she embraces and tries to rectify her flaws.
Jane Eyre – Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë , is a complex character that is evaluated in the context of her gender, as she demonstrates inclinations that breach and push the boundaries of what Victorian women are expected to be. She is a fiercely independent woman who is not hesitant to question and criticise society. Jane grows from a lonely and neglected orphan to a wealthy and powerful woman. Jane has a strong personality, as indicated by her statement to Mr. Rochester, "I don't think, sir, you have a right to order me merely because you are older than I or have seen more of the world than I have."
This is especially true when she is reprimanding both a male and her boss, exhibiting her chutzpah and self-assurance. As a result, she is self-reliant in her thinking and character, which is especially noteworthy given contemporary society's expectations of women, who are expected to submit to men's wills and serve men as possessions rather than adversaries.
Nectar in Sieve – Rukmani
The novel Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya tells the tale of Rukmani, also known as Ruku, her family, and her community. Throughout the novel, Rukmani is presented with numerous challenges. Every time she overcame one of her challenges, she demonstrated her true character. Ruku overcomes all challenges, whether it's showing compassion to others who are less fortunate than her, persevering for the sake of herself and her family, or adjusting to a new way of life. When confronted with a predicament, Rukmani exhibits her true character traits of compassion, resilience, and adaptability to changing situations.
Difficult Daughters - Virmati
Virmati is an iconic character in Manju Kapur's Difficult Daughters because she cares for her family. Virmati acts as a second mother figure to her siblings. She is in charge of all of the chores and responsibilities that a male heir would be in charge of. As a result, Virmati's sensitive upbringing was shaped by the pressures of home labour and parenting younger sisters and siblings. She divides her time between school and caring for her anaemic mother. She desires a happy existence and aspires to be a self-sufficient woman in the future. Readers picture Virmati as a strong lady seeking to find her place in the world. Her ability to lead an independent life is called into question by powerful masculine power during her transformation into a "New Woman."
The Color Purple – Celie
Celie, the protagonist of Alice Walker, is fourteen years old at the opening of the story, and she is innocent, impoverished, and illiterate. Throughout the story, she matures and changes more than any other character. By the end of the novel, Celie is in her fortie, and the reader has witnessed her maturation in terms of both world knowledge and self-awareness. Even her writing style has evolved by the end of the book, and she has become much more fluent and clearer as her self-esteem rises.
At the beginning of the story, Celie is practically fully dominated by two abusive males, Fonso and Mr_. B the end of the book, Celie is self-sufficient confident, and independent, having realised that she does have to be subservient to men or conform to traditional beilefs about how a woman should act.
That Long Silence – Jaya
Jaya, the protagonist of Shashi Deshpande's novel "That Long Silence" is about to remain silent for the next seventeen years. She is a middle-class woman who feels trapped by society since she is a good mother and wife. In her search for identity, Jaya lives with three identities: Jaya the struggling writer; Jaya the victor; and Suhasini, the name given to her by her husband, which means joyous wife who enjoys cleaning and performing wifely activities. A man and a woman in Indian society learn from their elders that a boy and a girl have different gender duties. Jaya experienced the existentialist system as she moved from self-confusion to self-realization. Jaya encourages people to discover themselves, establish space for themselves, and grow without the assistance of others.
Harry Potter Series – Hermione Granger
J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is a magnificent fantasy work that appeals to people of all ages. Hermione Granger is a multi-faceted character who is prominent in the Harry Potter universe.
Hermione is an ambitious young woman who is driven by her desire to excel academically and make a positive difference in society, despite what society expects of women who are not expected to have goals other than family care or even to have their own thoughts. In our society, a woman is frequently expected to keep her emotions in check and not argue with others, but Hermione Granger consistently violates this norm. She is openly dictatorial, and she is steadfast in her beliefs. She is vehemently opposed to prejudice against muggles and house elves. Because she comes from a muggle group, she suffers prejudice and preconceived notions about her history.
Hermione 's character evolves organically throughout the novel. She realises the value of questioning the world around her. She is a natural leader, constantly assisting and rescuing her friends from perilous situations. She realises the value of questioning the world around her. She is a natural leader, constantly assisting and rescuing her friends from perilous situations.
The God of Small Things - Ammu
Ammu, the protagonist of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things, is a caring and severe mother. People are drawn to her because she challenges customary norms. She believes she should not be ashamed of her divorce. Instead, she laments the fact that she has squandered her golden years. This distinguishes her from the other women in the home, who are concerned with looking better than the rest of society.
Ammu is unconcerned about socioeconomic status. In fact, she's glad Velutha, another character, was spotted at the communist march, thinking they both find society's rules harsh and inappropriate. This is not to suggest that Ammu is indifferent to appearances; she wants her children to be well-behaved so that everyone can see that a woman on her own can be both independent and a good mother.
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