A Study of Feminist Literary Criticism in the Short Stories of Sudha Murty

Abstract

This study looks at Sudha Murty's short stories through the lens of feminist literary criticism. Unlike western feminism, which emphasizes open resistance, Sudha Murty presents quieter, and a more practical form of feminism. Her female characters are ordinary women living in Indian society, which includes grandmothers, mothers, and working women. They do not leave their families, nor do they avoid their responsibilities. Instead, they find strength through education, love, hard work, and self-respect. Using stories from How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk, this paper explores how Sudha Murty uses simple language to discuss important ideas such as women's education, financial independence, and support among women. The study shows that her stories present a realistic form of day-to-day feminism that reflects everyday life and connects well with the Indian social and cultural context.