Mythical Representation Of Women Characters: A Critical Study Of The Select Novels Of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Abstract

India is a legendary nation where myths have absorbed many cultures, social systems, and ways of living. Myths are creatively imagined tales that portray the universe as it is. Many works written by Indians in English draw inspiration from epics, the Vedas, and the Upanishads. Myths not only aid in improving our lives but also teach us the values of our culture and heritage. Myth, magic, culture, and tradition run deep in the works of the famous novelist Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. She uses myths to prove that legendary stories are true and to show how immigrants use myths to overcome obstacles. The protagonists in Divakaruni’s novels—Tilo, Sudha, Anju, and Draupadi—reveal the suffering of women and their use of myth to cope with problems. There is a mythical quality to the characters in her writings. She gives female characters new qualities such as independence, tenacity, and strength, and she rewrites, reimagines, and redefines them. This article explores the depiction of women in mythology and examines how myths may be used as a moral compass to help individuals achieve their full potential. It also provides a new perspective on the ways in which Divakaruni depicts the voices of women.