Consciousness Raising in the New Woman of Shobhaa De’s novels Starry Nights & Socialite Evenings

Abstract

Women have been the “Second Sex” for far too long and there are parts of the world where the patriarchy still has the noose of suppression hanging around women’s necks. In India, women are treated like goddesses as long as they don’t turn their backs on the ideals of Sita and Savitri; the epitome of self-sacrifice, tolerance, endurance, and blind loyalty towards the men in their life. The New Woman in Shobhaa De’s novels is conscious and well aware of what’s been done to her and is concerned with her personal growth. The research further forays into the comprehension of the insights the New Woman has and how she turns her life around for her betterment through the power of ‘Consciousness Raising’. Catherine McKinnon’s piece on ‘Consciousness Raising’ talks about the radicalization, internalization, and oppression of the women. In the paper, De’s novels Starry Nights and Socialite Evenings would be analyzed through the lens of McKinnon’s views.