Women's Individuality in the Literature of Premchand and Saratchandra: A Comparative Study/ প্রেমচন্দ এবং শরৎচন্দ্রের সাহিত্যে নারীর ব্যক্তিস্বাতন্ত্র্য : একটি তুলনামূলক অধ্যয়ন

Abstract

This study undertakes a comparative analysis of female characterization in the works of Premchand (1880–1936) and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay (1876–1938), two seminal figures in early 20th-century Indian literature. Despite their shared humanistic sensibilities, the authors differ significantly in thematic focus, socio-economic setting, and narrative treatment.

          Premchand’s fictional women—Suman (Sevasadan), Dhaniya (Godan), and Gayatri (Premashram)—are rooted in agrarian and labouring milieus, confronting systemic poverty, illiteracy, and patriarchal oppression. Their agency often extends beyond the domestic sphere into social reform and nationalist engagement, reflecting Premchand’s conviction that women’s liberation is intrinsically bound to broader struggles for political sovereignty and socio-economic justice.

           Conversely, Sarat Chandra’s heroines—Sumitra (Pather Dabi), Kamal (Sesh Prashna), and Madhabi (Barodidi)—emerge primarily from urban or semi-urban, middle-class contexts. They prioritize personal autonomy, emotional fulfilment, and moral resistance to regressive traditions. While their involvement in nationalist politics is indirect, their assertiveness signals a political consciousness embedded in individual self-determination.

           Economically, Premchand’s women endure the rigors of manual labour while maintaining dignity and self-respect, symbolizing rural resilience. Sarat Chandra’s women display domestic economic acumen, though their narratives seldom intersect with agrarian realities. Familiarly, Premchand adopts a realist approach—women fulfil conventional responsibilities yet function as agents of change—whereas Sarat Chandra foregrounds emotional bonds, often privileging moral integrity over social conformity.

           Taken together, the two authors construct a composite, multidimensional portrait of Indian womanhood, balancing collective rural struggles with individual urban assertions. This synthesis offers enduring insights into the intersections of gender, class, and socio-political transformation in colonial India.