Reimagining the New Woman: A Feminist Study of Astha in A Married Woman

Abstract

Manju Kapur’s fiction foregrounds the awakening of feminine consciousness within the structures of patriarchy. A Married Woman explores the evolving identity of its protagonist, Astha, who embodies the tensions between traditional domestic expectations and emerging feminist selfhood. While she initially appears as a dutiful daughter and conventional wife, Astha gradually develops a critical awareness of the constraints imposed by marriage, religion, and socio-political structures. Her emotional and intellectual restlessness leads her to question normative gender roles and seek fulfilment beyond domestic boundaries. Through a feminist lens, this paper examines Astha’s transformation into a representative of the “New Woman,” negotiating identity, desire, and agency within a patriarchal society. Kapur’s nuanced portrayal reveals the psychological conflicts and socio-cultural challenges faced by contemporary Indian women at personal, professional, religious, and political levels. The study argues that Astha’s journey signifies not rebellion alone, but a reimagining of womanhood grounded in autonomy and self-realization.