The women in literature have always been illustrative of the time and its norms. The shift in their portrayal is evident in the comparison between 18th century literature and contemporary literature.

In the 18th century, women were predominantly depicted in a domestic space, catering to the needs of man and entirely dependent upon him, be it their father,brother or husband. They did not possess the liberty to exist outside the circle of societal expectations.They were depicted as meek, submissive, virtuous and solely concerned with marriage and family. They had little agency or autonomy. One example of this portrayal can be seen in “Mansfield Park ” by Jane Austen where the female protagonist, Fanny Price, is portrayed as quiet, shy, and obedient girl. She is often overshadowed by more dominant characters and accepts her low status within her family without protest.

This style of writing has undergone a significant change in contemporary times where female characters are no longer confined to specific stereotypes or domestic roles; rather they are confident, capable, fearless and on equal footing with their male counterparts. For instance, Hermione Granger, from the  “Harry Potter” series by J.K Rowling, is clever, strong, talented and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She becomes the face of the modern woman, empowered not to be afraid of challenging the status quo.

This shift can be attributed to the feminist movement which advocated for a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of women in literature. Moreover, the emergence of an increasing number of female writers further enriched this market bringing in diverse perspectives and experiences. It is very important, with the evolving nature of literature, to retain the authenticity and diversity it provides women, reflecting the full range of their experiences and identities.