Feminism in R.K. Narayan\'s Novels

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Facets of feminism. 3. The fictional world of R.K. Narayan. 4. The dark room 1938. 5. A waiting for the Mahatma 1955: a brief overview. the guide 1958. 6. The painter of signs 1976. 7. Conclusion. Bibliography.

Feminism in R.K. Narayan\'s Novels is a modest scholarly approach to establish Narayan\'s feminist philosophy and commitment as envisaged in his novels. Narayan was aware of the rising and growing movement of women\'s Lib and the air of feminism coming from western countries that changed the Indian woman of Indian household. Narayan studied carefully the Indian mind of Indian woman under all influences. He noticed keenly the social milieu changing gradually from a strictly orthodox and to that of progress and liberalism which come in the walks of modern civilization. The book discusses in detail Narayan\'s The Dark Room the Guide and the painter of Signs from feminist standpoint and shows the evolution of Narayan\'s feminist philosophy in the novels.

Cartloads of criticism have been written from many angles on the fiction of R.K. Narayan, but a little has been explored regarding the pioneering contribution that Narayan has made to the cause of women in his fiction. Narayan was perhaps one of the first few novelists to give voice to women\'s aspirations and opinions and present modern Indian women in Indian English fiction.