Mapping the Modern Indian Woman: A Thematic Study of Preethi Shenoy and Anita Nair’s Select Novels

Abstract

This paper will compare two well-known Indian authors, Preethi Shenoy and Anita Nair, based on a common theme, on how they write about modern Indian women. Both writers talk about important issues like what it means to be a woman and what society expects of us, but they do so in very different ways. The simple prose of Shenoy's writing is mostly about personal growth, self-discovery, and freedom. Life is What You Make It and The Secret Wish List are two of her novels with female characters who always find a way to get through tough times. These novels usually show a positive side to how to get through things. But Nair's writing is more creative and personal, and it looks at the social, cultural, and mental life of a woman. Novels like Ladies Coupe and Mistress are about how custom, patriarchy, and the pressures of society affect women and how they deal with life in Kerala as a whole. This paper will do a thorough comparison to show how Shenoy and Nair deal with the problem in different ways. Shenoy tells the story in a very positive way that emphasizes the individual's freedom and emotional maturity, while Nair focuses more on the role of the woman in society's complex structure. Finally, the two writers give the readers a fascinating look into the lives of modern Indian women and make huge contributions to the writing of Indian English stories.