Analysis of Women Characters in Manju Kapur's Difficult Daughters by, M.Jovitha Rosy

Analysis of Women Characters in Manju Kapur's

Difficult Daughters:

Manju Kapur is a feminist who lives in Delhi and teaches in Delhi University. Her novels are concerned with feminism and its impact on her female characters. Her first novel, Difficult Daughters focuses on the relationship between the mothers and daughters who belong to different generations. It is the story of a woman caught in between the sentimental situations of her family and her longing for education, affection, and freedom. There are different perspectives between the female characters about their exciting culture and norms. When Kasthuri, the mother of the protagonist, Virmati, compels her daughter to accept the marriage as a traditional norm, Virmati refuses to accept it; instead she seeks knowledge. The narrator of the novel, Ida, is Virmati's daughter. Through her voice the novelist distinguishes the women from three generations. Manju Kapur takes Virmati as a weapon of her writings and through her she highlights of marginalization suffered by women who are primarily concerned about their individuality and dignity.

                     

                 Virmati, a simple and educated woman is the central figure of the novel. Virmati, hails from an affectionate and well protected family goes to Lahore for further studies, accompanied by her mother. The limitation that women is weaker than man is foremost in India and the idea that she is a girl is reinforced by innumerable tragic instances in the novel. Virmati’s father does not accept her going alone to Lahore questions ‘who will go with her to Lahore’. Though the questions seems to be simple it mirrors the consideration of women to have no courage to make decision for herself and her future.  

                     

                 As Kasthuri, mother of Virmati is busy in delivering a baby year after year, it is Virmati who is in charge of the family and sacrifices herself to bring up her siblings. She remains as second mother for those children. Amidst this Virmati has no time to realize herself. She loses her days in taking care of the family. The family's old tradition of getting marriage is delayed for Virmati as she doesn't have any interest in it. Though her mother forces to get married she ignores, because she has interest towards education.

                      Shakuntala, Virmati's cousin is a symbol of modernity whom Virmati inspires a lot. Kapur portrays Shakuntala as an independent, defiant, and assertive girl. She does not have any limitations towards the tradition of getting marriage, and family relationship. This is shown through the voice of Shakuntala “These people don't really understand Viru, how much satisfaction there can be in leading your own life, in being independent. Here we are, fighting for the freedom of the nation, but women are still supposed to marry, and nothing else”

                      Virmati refuses the engagement with Indrajit and marries Harish, a professor whom she falls in love with at Lahore. Her passionate attraction for the professor makes her haunted by an overpowering sense of failure. This failure results from her unconventional path of selection that she has decided to be the co-wife of the professor. Experiencing her position of a co wife, the real purpose of marriage for Virmati is lost.

                      Ganga, Harish’s first wife very dedicated to him and his family. There is a lot of difference between Harish and Ganga, their match is totally inharmonious. Ganga’s negligence about study and lack of awareness brings Virmati to her husband’s home as a second wife.

                       The next phase of problem arises when Virmati gives birth to her girl baby. As a remembrance of independence she names her baby as Bharati. But this is rejected by her husband saying that,“I don't wish our daughter to be tainted with the birth of our country. What birth is this? With so much hatred?” .Though the country has got freedom, the man who speaks about the country's freedom, cannot provide freedom for his wife even for trivial matters in the family. When India was fighting for the freedom from British government, Virmati literally fights for her own identity and affirmation. Her life from beginning to end is full of sufferings, searching for 'self', her own identity, conflict between mind and heart. She loses all her hope. Even her daughter doesn't want to be like her mother.

                       Thus the novelist has explored and traced the journey of many such young women in this award winning book. They truly reflect the complexity of female psyche.

                                                                                             Submitted by,

                                                                                             Jovitha Rosy. M

                                                                                             M.A. English literature.