The Depiction of the Image of the ‘New Woman’ in the Novel Mistress by Anita Nair

By : Divya, Krishna Chaudhary, Nitin Malhotra

Page No: 28-33

Abstract
The image of a new woman has always been contrasted to the woman in the traditional role. The new woman is not just tied to a business woman rather it is the one who celebrates her presence in the mundane plane. Contemporary writers try to bring the other side of female characters that are termed ‘new woman’ or ‘new business woman’ through their writings and who do not adhere to the traditional norms a woman has to survive. It’s important to note that the concept of the New Woman was not uniform across different cultures and historical periods. The term itself was often used in various ways and carried different meanings depending on the context. While the New Woman was a symbol of progress and liberation for some, it also faced criticism and resistance from those resistant to changing gender roles. But some writers have kept the delicacy of female characters along with their bold roles outside the house. Radha, a pivotal character in the novel Mistress by Anita Nair, has been exploring love, passion, and self-discovery throughout. The present paper highlights the characteristics of the ‘new woman’ as independent and agency, maintaining professional pursuits and personal relationships, empowering herself in societal norms, and coping with the social commentary on the cultural identity by Radha.

Authors :
Divya: Research Scholar, Baba Mast Nath University, Rohtak, Haryana.
Dr. Krishna Chaudhary: Retired Principal, Maharani Kishori Jat Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Rohtak, Haryana.
Dr. Nitin Malhotra: Assistant Professor in English, Amity School of Languages, Amity University Madhya Pradesh, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/POET.2025.38.01.4