Women were typically represented or rather, defined within the domestic and social hierarchies in the 18^th century. They were depicted as virtuous, embodying ideals of piety, modesty, and submission to male authority. The novels mainly focused on the narratives of marriage, motherhood, familial duties. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughter and many such novels are critiques of the societal constraints in their work and portrayed the dependence of women on men.

Contemporary literature, on the other hand, presents quite a different picture of women. The characters are presented as complex individuals with various kinds of identities and goals. They defy traditional norms and expectations as they negotiate relationships, careers, and personal development with freedom and power. This can be seen in Marget Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale or Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song, the winner of The Booker Prize, which are set in dystopian world and deal with women enclosed within the spaces created by men to take over the authority, once again. But, these novels have led to protest for the women’s right in the real world, thus, advocating gender equality, educational opportunities a shift towards recognizing and valuing their voices and experiences.

This shift, by the modern author, contributes to a more inclusive literary landscape where women’s stories are celebrated and their perspectives explored with depth and authenticity.