A Multi-Perspective Study of the Novel ‘Difficult Daughters’ by Manju Kapur

Abstract

Manju Kapur is a seminal name in the field of feminist studies and fiction also, her Difficult Daughters offers a compelling exploration of the search for selfidentity within the oppressive structures of traditional Indian society. This paper analyzes the protagonist Virmati’s struggle to carve an independent identity in a world where women are expected to conform to familial and societal norms. Set during the politically charged era of pre-Partition India, the novel reflects the broader socio-cultural transformations while focusing on the personal battle of an individual woman seeking agency. Virmati’s aspirations for education, personal freedom, and emotional fulfillment come into direct conflict with the expectations imposed by her conservative Punjabi family, particularly her mother, Kasturi. Her illicit relationship with the already-married Professor Harish becomes a symbol of both rebellion and entrapment, revealing the complexities of seeking autonomy in a deeply patriarchal context. This study argues that while Virmati challenges traditional roles through her pursuit of selfhood, her journey ultimately results in alienation and emotional disillusionment rather than true liberation. Furthermore, the novel portrays the intergenerational tensions between mothers and daughters as a critical site of conflict, where traditional values are both resisted and reinforced. The novel thus offers an important commentary on the cost of female autonomy and the complex realities of negotiating individuality within collective cultural  frameworks