• DR. D. RAJANI DEIVASAHAYAM

Literature is a mirror that reflects society. Since society creates literature, it is bound to exercise some influence on the reader’s mind and attitude – be it positive or negative. A writer’s reflection of events describes his attitude of mind whether he is progressive, conservative or revolutionary. People are much influenced by looking at society through books. Books are the treasure-house of the thoughts and feelings of the individuals which substantially affect the readers as they own the characters they come across in literature. Hence it is imperative to proclaim that literature is written to refresh, to inspire, to unleash the mind. It attracts the readers not only through its matter but also through its manner. The aim of the paper is to present the portrayal of women in the Indian English fiction and how they have shown their prowess in fighting against their suppression, assert their rights, resist the oppression and finally find a space for themselves in the patriarchal society. By presenting women as autonomous beings the writers try to transform the society by changing the reader’s mind and attitude regarding the role of women in the society. An attempt has been made in this paper to discuss the status of women in India from the Vedic age to the present, how they were deprived of their rights, their centuries long suffering, and how literature help women in our country to find their strengths, resist their colonization and make men accept the fact that they are equal to them in all aspects.

Women empowerment, suppression, resistance, autonomy, colonized.

"The Portrayal of Empowered Women In Indian English Fiction – A Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.143-149, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRBN06034.pdf

"The Portrayal of Empowered Women In Indian English Fiction – A Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp143-149, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRBN06034.pdf