Liberal Feminism and Ruskin Bond: An Exploration of Bond’s Women World

Abstract

Indian history has been a deponent of ups and downs in the position of women. In the Vedic era, they attained the highest place in society. Later in post-Vedic era they were accused of many disabilities and their freedom was banned. In middle age their position became very pathetic. So a necessity is felt for reconsideration of women's condition with the angle of Indian attitude. In contemporary age, many efforts are being done to resolve this social injustice. Indian intellectuals have been advocating for equal rights, equality, and co-operation between both genders for long ages, but it was in the British period when women uplift started. The result of all efforts made in this direction is that women have started to establish new dimensions in various areas, e.g., in education, politics, social, economic, administration, and in games and sports. In the literary area their contribution can also not be underestimated. Many female writers such as Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahri, Shashi Despande, Shobha De and many others are raising their voices for women rights and women empowerment. Today women-deliberation has become a vivid question in every area of life so much that prominent male writers are also giving them a special niche in their writings. In male stream, Ruskin Bond is carrying this trend forward to maintain a balance between the two genders. The present paper is an endeavor to prove that Ruskin’s literature searches the way for women empowerment within democratic system.