Feminist criticism has significantly enriched the understanding of gender roles in literature. In Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own, Woolf underscores the need for ‘space’ for women both in a literal and metaphorical sense. She states, that this space is essential for women to think and create freely. Through the character of Judith Shakespeare, she exemplifies the traditional setting of her era where a woman is stifled by societal norms despite having talent. This work critiques the patriarchal structures that have marginalized women’s voices in literature, emphasizing the necessity of financial independence and personal freedom for women to express themselves fully.

Sylvia Plath in “The Bell Jar” critiques the expectations placed on women in the 1950s. The lead character Esther struggles against the societal traditions of marriage, motherhood, and self-identity. The candid exploration of mental health, domestic roles, and professional aspirations throws light on the impact of gender norms on women’s lives. 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, displays redemption and reconciliation in its final moments by giving its characters a much-needed circle. The main character Heathcliff spends most of his time in the novel being obsessed with Catherine and ideas of revenge. His death marks the end of his pain and suffering in the dark and complex world of the novel. In his final moments, he expresses a sense of peace and fulfillment, stating that he views death as a reunion with Catherine, which he so longed for throughout his life.

Cathy Linton and Hareton Earnshaw, who were both victims of Heathcliff’s vengeance, end up forming a loving relationship and plan to marry, uniting the two families. This represents an end to the cycle of abuse and a chance for a fresh start.

Also, the end of the novel on a supernatural note, with the child suggesting he saw the ghosts of Catherine and Heathcliff roaming in the moors, symbolizes that their tortured souls have found peace and tranquility after death if not in life. After all, death in literature and popular culture or myths has been seen as the end of all kinds of suffering.

Literature and Social Media both serve different functions in society and both are critical in their formats. In today’s world where social media has become extremely important and relevant for individuals, Literature which was once the flag bearer of entertainment and information still stands strong in hardcore readers’ minds.

To understand how literature can be made more impactful than social media, we first have to understand, how social media works and why it occupies people’s minds strongly. Social media holds the audience mind psychologically to keep them hooked into a space (app) for long periods of time. With the individual creators who are mostly everyday people, create relevant content and the accessibility of these hooks people’s minds. The accessibility to “relevant” content  anytime, anywhere, people have nowhere to go to. Besides, the decline in audience’s attention span is also a key factor to note when leveraging literature over social media.

Now coming to how can Literature have an upper hand in that, people will first have to shift their focus from regular content to literature. It can be challenging and time consuming too, because literature is deep, informative and depending on the category it could also be challenging. Non-fiction works like “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari and “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert, encourage readers for critical thinking. Literary works such as “1984” by George Orwell or “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley use nuanced storytelling to explore dystopian futures and critique societal trends. These narratives provide insightful commentary on human behavior and social structures, offering readers thought-provoking content that can inspire change.

Book clubs and literary societies, both online and offline, create communities centered around reading and discussing literature. These communities can cultivate a shared culture of critical thinking and thoughtful dialogue, offering a counterbalance to the often rapid and polarized exchanges on social media.

We can further enlarge the group by promoting reading from an early age and also combining literature with other media forms such as, podcasts, interactive websites, anime, films, etc.

One significant example of Indian Literature that resonates with the Modern Feminist Movement would be Kamala Das‘s autobiography “My Story“.

In this autobiography, Kamala Das discusses openly about her experiences with love, sexuality, and identity. Her candid expression of her own desires, and personal struggles challenges societal expectations of women and advocates for personal liberation and self-expression.

Kamala Das’s bold attempt to discuss female desire, infidelity, and emotional abuse broke societal taboos and opened up conversations about women’s private lives. This aligns with the feminist movement’s efforts to dismantle the silence around women’s issues and promote open dialogue.

Her work touches on the intersections of gender, sexuality, and culture, which highlights the influence of these factors on a woman’s life. writing embodies a form of empowerment through vulnerability. By sharing her most intimate thoughts and experiences, she reclaims her narrative and challenges the notion that vulnerability equates to weakness. This aspect is also reflected in many other female writers’ works’ like Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf.

Kamala Das’s work provided a platform for women’s voices and experiences that were traditionally ignored and suppressed. Das’s bold literary style and subject matter inspired the contemporary feminist writers and activists of her time to come forward and share their own stories.

Existentialism has profoundly shaped modern literature by emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice. This philosophical movement, which gained prominence in the 20th century, focuses on the human condition and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd universe.

Key Themes:

1. Individual Freedom and Responsibility: Existentialist literature explores the idea that individuals are free to make their own choices but must also bear the responsibility for the consequences. Characters often grapple with the weight of their decisions and the inherent uncertainty of life.
2. Alienation and Isolation: Many existentialist works depict protagonists who feel disconnected from society and others. This sense of alienation is a central theme, reflecting the individual’s struggle to find meaning in a world that feels indifferent or hostile.
3. Search for Meaning: Existentialist literature frequently portrays characters on a quest for purpose and significance. This search often leads to introspection and philosophical inquiry, highlighting the difficulty of finding meaning in a chaotic world.
4. Absurdity: The notion of the absurd, popularized by writers like Albert Camus, underscores the conflict between humans’ desire for order and the chaotic nature of the universe. Characters confront the absurdity of existence and must decide how to respond to it.
5. Authenticity: Existentialist literature encourages living authentically, true to one’s values and beliefs, despite societal pressures. This pursuit of authenticity often leads characters to challenge conventions and question their own motivations.

Existentialism shapes modern literature by exploring deep philosophical questions about human existence, freedom, and meaning, often through characters’ introspective journeys and their confrontations with an absurd, indifferent world.