The Clash Between Modernity Versus Traditional Norms Reflects in Manju Kapur's Difficult Daughters: A Critical Study

Difficult Daughters is one of the most popular novels of Manju Kapur. This novel describes the conflict between modernity and traditional values. Virmati is the heroine of the novel and she possesses her own aspirations. She keeps on her studies against the wishes of her parents. She has a strong willpower to face the challenges of various measures of patriarchy and opposes her parents. Virmati is inspired by Shakuntala’s ideas. Shakuntala is modernist in her thoughts. Like Shakuntala, Virmati wants to get education and to do a job while her family is an obstacle on her way. Swarnlata, Shakuntla and Ida stand for modernity while Kasturi, Ganga and Lajwanti stand for traditional customs; and they follow the patriarchal norms. Kasturi thinks that a girl should get married and she should fulfill her household duties. However, Virmati rejects the idea of marriage. She has grown up seeing her mother’s restricted world and miserable situation where woman is not allowed to be capable of being something than a wife. Ida is Veermati’s daughter. Ida is strong and clearheaded. She breaks her marriage bond and she becomes free from patriarchal norms. She is not ready to compromise with her freedom. Ida does not want to adjust like her mother and she wants to live her separate identity.