• ISBN13: 9788126920839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Subject: English Literature
• Publisher: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Ltd
• Publisher Imprint: N/A
• Publication Date: July 22, 2018
• Pages: 254
• Original Price: INR 795.0
• Language: English
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 426 grams

The most important concern of feminist agenda is that women should be ‘visible’ and their voices must be ‘audible’ in the society, and this concern gets a proper place in Shashi Deshpande’s fictional works as she raises the issues of women’s inner struggle to revolt against emotional slavery. Loneliness that dwells in a feminine heart has occupied a centre stage among current burning gender issues. The novelist shows that in spite of being surrounded by father, brothers, husband and children, a woman feels lonely and is unable to give expression to her feelings. Becoming a ‘new woman’ is an attitudinal transformation, which every woman has to experience so that a radical social change is effected throughout the world. To a ‘new woman’, the stifling and oppressive system of sex roles should give way to undistorted gender equality. A ‘new woman’ is a feminist who is in search for the means to overcome oppression, develop her own powers and abilities of personal growth as an individual and self-actualization.
Shashi Deshpande is essentially a novelist of gender issues as she has touched upon almost all the issues, which are normally of great concern to all the feminists, Indian feminists in particular. In her fictional works, she writes about the ‘marginalized’ community of women in India and expresses her concern for women’s disadvantaged condition within patriarchy. Also, she is a great observer and she has keenly observed the gender bias in Indian society and she has put on horse blinders while depicting the plight of a girl/daughter who struggles hard throughout her life.
The book helps answer subtle questions that thinkers, social workers and well-wishers and others who care for women and womanhood most often ask about gender issues at various levels of debate and discussions. The book explores the substantial axiological, psychological, sociological and emotional underpinnings of gender issues. Also, it deals with inner dilemmas of feminine heart, women’s subjugation, economic and emotional independence and above all, the ‘new woman’.

Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Dronacharya Government College, Gurgaon, is M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in English. Her area of interest and specialization is gender issues in India. Currently she is either conducting herself or helping and guiding others to conduct research on gender issues from diverse perspectives in Indian context.
She is credited with academic writings on gender issues as depicted by numerous Indian feminist writers. She is also credited with participation, presentation and acceptance of papers in national, international conferences, seminars, symposia, etc. Her papers are published by journals of repute. She acts as a “Resource Person”, too in different ASCs in India.
As an English educator she is a consistent and prolific contributor to socio-psychological studies and research related with gender issues.