WOMEN-WRITERS IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

Abstract

The concept of the American Dream suggests that individuals, regardless of their background, can improve their circumstances through hard work. While this holds true for men, women encounter numerous challenges in realizing this dream. Women play vital roles in society and face obstacles globally in what is often perceived as a male-dominated world. In India, women have been revered as goddesses since ancient times, yet they are not always treated as such in reality. Merely regarding women as divine figures is insufficient; genuine women's empowerment requires sustained, cooperative efforts from both men and women. Initially, women were confined to household duties and restricted to domestic spaces. Over time, there has been an increase in female literacy rates, leading to some advancements. Throughout history, women have utilized writing to express a wide range of emotions and experiences, not only in English but also in other languages. This paper aims to explore various genres of women's literature globally to gain insight into women's lives and their portrayal in literary works. Additionally, it seeks to compare the writings of women in India with those of other countries, both historically and presently, to assess progress in achieving women's empowerment.