Female characters in the novels of R. K. Narayan

Abstract

R.K. Narayan is considered one of the most eminent Indian authors in the English language. Narayan mostly focuses on portraying middle-class folks from Malgudi, a fictional location he created in South India. His writings feature a diverse array of male and female characters. Within each of his novels, there exists a female character that holds a significant role in the narrative. Rosie, in The Guide, is one such female character. She embodies a contemporary woman who is well-educated and driven, who aspires to achieve financial independence based on her own preferences and abilities, despite facing significant sacrifices. Raju's mother and Velan's sister are among the other female characters depicted in the story. Raju's mother embodies the conservative and orthodox ladies who adhere to tradition and culture. She is a conscientious spouse and an affectionate parent. She provides guidance to both Raju and Rosie regarding moral principles and ethical conduct. However, if her advice is ignored, she departs from her residence and accompanies her brother to reside with him. Velan's sister has a little yet significant part in the narrative, as her presence contributes to portraying Raju as a saintly figure. This research aims to investigate this particular component of R.K. in a modest manner. The characterisation of Narayan. Keywords: The role of women, fiction, family, stories, novels, general literature