TITLE PAGE

TOPIC: WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO ENGLISH

LITERATURE; PROGRSSION OR REGRESSION

NAME: NAVISHTA KHAN
SUPERVISOR: MAM ANUM
INSTITUTION: ARMY BURN HALL COLLEGE FOR GIRLS, ABBOTTABAD
DEPARTMENT: BS ENGLISH
SEMESTER: FIFTH (V)

KEYWORDS:
Women, Role of Women, English Literature, 20thCentury, Women’s Literature, British Women, 17thCentury.

 INTRODUCTION ⁚
From sitting in kitchen, and narrating folk tales to their children, to being readers and then fertile writers, women decidedly had a long
journey before getting the credit they deserved. While women were writing from as early as 17 th century, they were laid-off and often
read or published. With rise of feminist movements and treatises such as A Vindication of Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft,
women rose to educate themselves and publish their works. Even then, they would often take over male pseudonym in order to publish
their work. George Eliot was a pseudonym used by Mary Ann Evans to publish her novels. In fact, the Brontë sisters also wrote under
a different name. Not only that, but they also struggled with crafting their own experiences. This led them to compete the style and
narratives of their contemporary male writers. Eventually, they progressed into a finding their own voice and bringing their issues to
forefront. As a result, today we have excess of women writers such as Toni Morisson, Margaret Atwood, Kiran Desai, etc.
During the franchise movement and the First World War, the very last generation of the Victorian female
novelists began to publish. Writings by Suffragette authors had absorbed John Stuart Mill's challenging task to transform Victorian
moral issues into an artistic philosophy. A new kind of feminist fiction emerged after World War II, as female novelists, inspired by
the prospect of an entirely female art form but also alarmed by the striking similarity between feminist militancy and its male
counterpart. Both literature and language were subjected to the influence of the female aesthetics’ feminist ideology. When World
War I broke out in 1914, perhaps activist women felt a sense of collective guilt; certainly W.S.P.U. members relocated their resources
and energy from the very vote to the battle with suspicious alacrity. However, they relinquished the requirements of the personal
narrative self in the face of war. It seemed like the world was ruled by the conflict of the ego, and women writers wished to be left out
of the conversation. This generation's literature, then, appears strangely impersonal and renunciatory while also being openly and
insistently female. Instead of a means of self-expression, the very female aesthetic style was to become the form of self-destruction for
women writers. There is clear as well as troubling signs of retreat in today's generation: withdraw from the particular ego, stepping
back from the physical female experience, pulling back from the material universe, retreat into different rooms and separate cities.
This generation is retreating. The secessionist army marched in unison under the flag of female aesthetics. Aestheticism for women
appeared to be a step forward at the time (Chafe & Chafe, 1992). Women's literature had finally risen from its cultural subservience to
a men tradition, according to some female novelists and critics, and its historic event had finally arrived. It is true that James Joyce,
Dorothy Richardson, and Virginia Woolf as well as D. H. Lawrence all experimented with sexual polarity in similar ways. One reason
is that the two writers' vocabularies don't overlap, and another is that women's experiences and values are distinct from those of men,
which makes it difficult for readers to confuse the two. When she saw women's fiction in 1929, Virginia Woolf was delighted "Brave,
genuine and close to what women feel, this book is courageous and honest. It's not too sour. It doesn't go overboard in claiming to be
female. When it comes to the writing of a woman's book, it is not written in the same way as a man's would be" (Showalter, 1971).

 LITERATURE REVIEW:

 Women broke gender stereotypes in literature:

Written from a male gaze, earlier literature works portrayed women characters to fit into mound of either an angel or a devil. In other
words, women could either be sacrificial, fragile and pure hearted individuals or a devil threatening to break the very notions of a
functioning society. Furthermore, women were expected to stay at home and fulfil their duties as a wife and a mother. In fact, their
education was restricted to taking lessons in cooking, embroidery and other household duties. And women writers opposed this ideal
of the Victorian in their works.
Women writers brought in depth take on women’s psyche and struggles against patriarchy. Shashi Deshpande being one of them,
wrote about complex female characters with internal monologues. These monologues showed the fragmented psyche of women as
well as independent and educated women who earn their own livelihood. Others such as Sylvia Plath talked in-depth about women
body as being center of male gaze and exploitation as well as the oppressive forces of patriarchy. Works such as these break gender
stereotypes and pave way for the new women of 21st century.

 Exploration of taboo issues and societal standards:

The major contribution of women to literature has been their exploration of societal standards. Pioneer of such is Jane Austen whose
works repeatedly explored the standards set for women, typically being marriage and gentility. Her works explored vanity of societal
rules in the Victorian England. Much like that taboo issues such as women sexuality and passion often find expressions in work of
women writers. Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights clearly shows the passions of the female protagonist in her novel despite its
consideration as a taboo issue in the society. Ismat Chughtai’s work on other hand explore sexuality. Lihua, her short story, shows one
of the examples of how men treat women as trophy wives. But the subtle representation of lesbianism in it is the truly groundbreaking
achievement on her part. Such complex issues saw the light of day primarily due to women who wrote about it in their works.
 Developing language to record women experiences:
Narratives of men use a language which lack the capacity to represent women’s experiences. In fact, the language we use
predominantly lacks semantics to precisely encapsulate women’s struggles and needs. As women recognized this, they broke the rules
of language in their work to create a language of their own. Emily Dickinson often in her poems broke the phallocentric rules of
language by using dashes to emphasize certain words as well as express the pain and struggles of being a woman. Similar to her,
Sylvia Plath’s works also communicated to audience via a new language. This new phase was only possible due to women who were
adamant in bringing their voices to literature.

 Numerous works across varied genres and styles:

From Jane Austen’s romance novel Pride and Prejudice to Marry Shelley’s horror novel Frankenstein, women have written across
multiple genres including fantasy, historical fiction, etc. Not only that, but multiple formats, of their works, from novels, poems,
dramas, etc. are also available. Some famous playwrights include Aphra Behn, Rachel Crothers, Lorraine Hansberry etc. As for
novelists, the list is endless. It includes the works of famous earliest novelists like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, Louisa
May Alcott. And then also of modern writers such as Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Agatha Christie, Jhumpa Lahiri. Best part is
that each year new additions take in this list. Lastly, we have some well-known poets like Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, Sarojini
Naidu, Adrienne Rich etc. as well. With the works being immense, we have only included names of the select few but nevertheless
contribution of women to literature extends far beyond than this. The 19th century marked a turning point for women writers in
English literature, with the rise of notable figures such as Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne), and George
Eliot (Mary Ann Evans). These authors explored themes related to social class, gender roles, and the constraints faced by women in
society. Austen's novels, such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility", have become classics of English literature. The
Brontë sisters produced works like "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights", which are celebrated for their depth and complexity. Eliot's
works, including "Middlemarch", examined the intricacies of human relationships and societal issues. In the 20th century, women
writers continued to make significant strides, both in terms of their influence and the diversity of their works. Virginia Woolf was a
leading figure of the modernist movement, known for her innovative narrative techniques and feminist themes in works such as "Mrs.
Dalloway" and "To the Lighthouse". Doris Lessing explored complex themes such as identity, politics, and human relationships in
novels like "The Golden Notebook". The century also witnessed the emergence of women writers from different cultural backgrounds,
such as Zadie Smith, who brought fresh perspectives to English literature. In the 21st century, women writers have achieved
commercial success and critical acclaim, solidifying their roles as leading voices in English literature. Authors like J.K. Rowling,
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Sally Rooney have made substantial contributions to contemporary literature. Rowling's "Harry
Potter" series became a global phenomenon, while Adichie's works, such as "Half of a Yellow Sun", provide insightful perspectives
on postcolonial and feminist issues. Rooney's novels, including "Normal People", have gained popularity for their exploration of
modern relationships and social dynamics.

 CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the role of women writers in English literature has evolved significantly over the centuries, reflecting a broader trend
toward gender equality and inclusivity. From facing challenges and obstacles in the past, women writers have emerged as prominent
and influential figures in contemporary literature, contributing to its diversity and richness. Their work has expanded the scope of
English literature by introducing fresh perspectives, challenging traditional norms, and exploring a wide range of themes and issues.
The progression of women writers in English literature is a testament to their resilience and talent, and it promises a vibrant and
inclusive literary landscape for the future.

 KEY EVENTS:
 During the 16th and 17th centuries, women wrote in English more extensively than previously
believed. These literary works were often overlooked but have since been rediscovered by
dedicated women scholars. These scholars delved into libraries and archives; unearthing writings
that had long been hidden.
 Lady Mary Wroth explored themes of love, while Emilia Lanier delved into religion Katherine
Philips wrote about friendship, and Elizabeth Carew penned “The Tragedy of Mariam.” These
women contributed to the rich tapestry of literature during their time.
 Jane Austen: A pioneer, Jane Austen, repeatedly explored societal standards in her novels. Her
works, set in Victorian England, scrutinized the vanity of societal rules, particularly those related to
women’s roles, marriage, and gentility.

 CITATIONS:

P. Sajida and Selvaraj, Vijayakumar. (2021). THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ENGLISH LITERATURE FROM 20
TH CENTURY UPTO THE MODERN AGEOF 21 ST CENTURY. 51. 140-150. In this research paper the writer
has expressed the role of women and the identity of the female world that have been revealed in the
English literature from the 20 the century up to the modern age of 21 set century. The paper has
shown the evolution of women’s characteristics after the ending of the First World War. This was the
time that women learnt to come out of their comfort zone and they loved to break their old stereotyped
nature which was incorporated in them by the male patriarchal society. The heroic approach or the
powerful male identity has been diminished by multiple new women writers who had the feminist
approaches in their minds. The paper has mainly mentioned the women writers like Virginia Woolf,
Dorothy Richardson and Katherine Mansfield. In the English literature of the early to mid-phase of 20
the century one could see the perfect differentiation between man and women that has been made by
multiple feminist writers. The paper has also shown that this was the time when the concept of
 feminism arrived in the writings. The aspects of female oppression by the male world have been
pointed out in multiple literature. The paper has also dealt with the condition of the contemporary
Indian women in the Indian society depicted by the Indian women writers. The paper has produced
several Indian women feminist writers who shined from the 20 the century up to the modern age.
Present female global icons have also been mentioned in this research paper.
Rajesh, G & Manicures, Kannadhasan. (2020). Role of women in literature. JAC: A Journal of Composition Theory. 13. 258 -
265. Ideas concerning the portrayal of women in historical fiction written for young people that
emerged for this researcher during the sorting process were similar to ideas of women’s roles
in the review of literature. Some of these portrayals of women characters in historical fiction
might give us insight into a young reader’s emerging image of women and with further study
the very foundation in which a young woman’s sense of self is developed. One theme
emerging from this researcher’s textual analysis was that there were few examples, in
historical fictional analyzed, of females taking masculine roles. In novels written prior to
1970, five examples of a female taking a masculine role were found. In novels written after1970, two examples of a female taking
a masculine role were found.

THANK YOU!