Volume VI Issue I January-March 2026

Name of Author : Ms. Hannah Mathew, Dr. S Bhuvaneswari

Title of the paper : Voices of Resistance Feminist Narratives in Namita Gokhales Select Novels

Abstract: This study delves into the feminist narratives within Namita Gokhales novels Things to Leave Behind, Paro Dreams of Passion, A Himalayan Love Story, and Mountain Echoes. Through a critical examination of these works, the paper explores how Gokhale portrays womens struggles against patriarchal structures, their quest for identity, and the complexities of their personal and societal roles. Employing feminist literary theory, the analysis highlights Gokhales contribution to Indian English literature in articulating womens voices and experiences. This paper explores the feminist landscapes of Namita Gokhales selected novels, uncovering how her women protagonists challenge, negotiate, and subvert patriarchal norms within varied sociocultural contexts. Through close textual analysis of Paro Dreams of Passion, Things to Leave Behind, A Himalayan Love Story, and Mountain Echoes, the study identifies recurring themes of resistance, identity formation, and the complexity of womens roles. Gokhales characters range from urban elites to rural survivors, each articulating a distinct mode of feminist agency, whether through sexual autonomy, emotional endurance, intergenerational memory, or cultural stewardship. The framework draws upon feminist theorists such as Elaine Showalter, Judith Butler, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, and postcolonial feminist thought to analyze how these narratives challenge conventional gender roles and amplify silenced voices. Gokhales nuanced portrayal of female subjectivity and resilience offers a compelling commentary on the evolving role of women in both contemporary and historical Indian settings. This study affirms her contribution to feminist discourse in Indian English literature and highlights literatures potential to reflect and reshape gendered realities.

Keywords : Feminist Narratives, Indian English Literature, Womens Identity, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, Female Subjectivity.

DOI :

Page Number : 5-17