Feminist Writingsas Resistance:A Subversion of Patriarchal Narratives

This dissertation explores the ways in which patriarchal narratives in literature are challenged and subverted through feminist rewritings. Literature has historically functioned as a medium that reflects and reinforces dominant social structures, including patriarchy, which privileges male authority and marginalizes women’s voices. Canonical texts often depict women as passive, dependent, and secondary characters, thereby perpetuating gender inequality and limiting the scope of female identity. Drawing upon feminist literary theory, this study examines how such narratives are constructed and sustained within traditional literary works. It further investigates how feminist writers engage with these texts through the practice of rewriting, offering alternative perspectives that foreground women’s experiences, agency, and subjectivity. Feminist rewritings not only reinterpret existing narratives but actively reconstruct them by shifting narrative authority, reclaiming silenced voices, and challenging established representations. Through the analysis of selected works such as Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, along with feminist reinterpretations of Indian epics, this dissertation demonstrates how rewriting serves as a powerful tool of resistance. These texts reveal the limitations of patriarchal frameworks and create space for more diverse and inclusive narratives. The study argues that feminist rewritings play a crucial role in transforming literary discourse by subverting traditional gender roles and redefining identity. By questioning the authority of canonical texts and presenting alternative viewpoints, they contribute to a broader cultural and ideological shift towards equality and empowerment. Ultimately, this dissertation highlights the significance of feminist literary practices in reshaping both literature and society.