Women have faced subjugation and oppression over the centuries, enduring the dominance of men in both familial and societal contexts. A remarkable transformation has been instigated by eminent Indian women novelists in the realm of literature. The emergence of women writers in Indian English writing brought a rich tapestry of voices and narratives to Indian English literature, enriching the literary canon with their experiences, insights and perspectives. Women’s Studies aim to comprehend cultural, social and historical restraints that have compelled writers and critics pay their attention on the issues related to women and share a common goal to free the world from sexism and racism. The assertion of female identity in a patriarchal social structure refers to women claiming their individuality, agency and rights within a societal framework dominated by male privilege and power. It involves challenging and resisting traditional gender roles, expectations and norms that limit women’s opportunities and scope of freedom.Anuradha Roy, a contemporary novelist, explores various facets of the female psyche, revealing the trauma born from frustration, fear, loneliness, and a disintegration of identity. Anuradha Roy is perceived as a feminist writer due to the thematic concern with gender, agency, and the question of identity in her novels, particularly in the Indian context. She writes about multifaceted women trying to survive and rebel against traditional roles and constraints, elements like patriarchy, marginalization, and self-perception. Her novel The Folded Earth (2011) reflects the idea of loss and a sense of belongingness in the dishevelled life of the protagonist and other female characters. It also asserts the identity of female characters after struggling to overcome the unfortunate fate forced upon them by the androcentric society.Anuradha Roy weaves an evocative and deeply moving tale of a young woman making a new life for herself amid the foothills of the Himalaya. Desperate to leave a private tragedy behind, Maya, the protagonist of the novel, abandons herself to the rhythms of the little village, where people coexist peacefully with nature. But all is not as it seems, and she soon learns that no refuge is remote enough to keep out the modern world.
P.G. Dept. of English & Research Centre Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
