Feminist Social Concerns in Mahasweta Devi’s Mother of 1084

Abstract

Feminist writers use fiction to expose their inner struggle for self-identity, self-assertion, individuality and freedom. Sociological and cultural backgrounds and feminist ideology have been a strong bearing on these writers. Among the women novelists, Mahasweta Devi occupies a great place and has been an eminent writer in Indian English Literature. Her works are concerned with human values and complex human relationships. In her novels, Devi has utilised female characters as her device in exposing the society that discriminates and victimises women. Also, she gets political support in parallel to females, as both are essential for the life of people. The cultural, legal, political and social restrictions are highlighted in her novels. She does not want women to be man’s appendage or his shadow. Her heroines are courageous intellectuals. They rebel against the existing codes of conduct that victimise women-folk.