A Comparative Study of R.K. Narayan's The Dark Room and Volga's Swetcha - Journal article

This research paper presents a comparative literary analysis of R.K. Narayan’s English novel The Dark Room and Volga’s Telugu novel Swetcha. Both works explore the psychological and social dimensions of women’s lives within patriarchal structures in Indian society. The study examines how the protagonists in both novels struggle with issues of identity, dignity, and personal freedom within the framework of family and societal expectations. Through comparative analysis, the paper highlights the transition from silent suffering to conscious resistance and liberation in women’s narratives. The research analyses the portrayal of female subjectivity, marital relationships, and social constraints while situating the texts within the broader discourse of Indian feminist literature. It also reflects on the evolving voice of women writers in India and their contribution to redefining gender roles and social justice. By comparing Narayan’s subtle critique of patriarchal oppression with Volga’s explicit feminist articulation of women’s autonomy, the paper demonstrates how literature becomes a powerful medium for questioning social norms and advocating women’s empowerment. This work contributes to comparative literature studies, Indian feminist literary discourse, and cross-linguistic literary analysis between English and Telugu literary traditions.