The Assertion of Gender and Identity: A Critique of Margaret Drabble’s The Millstone

Abstract

Postmodern ideology is a new perspective to look at in the arena of Gender study. Exploring a long journey of 'womanhood', the post-colonial and post-modern aspects have transformed the notion of 'Gendered female' into the present status of 'New woman'. This new identity asserts to establish the female as 'female' by choice or by the role they 'perform'. Post-modern feminist like Margaret Drabble is quite successful in portraying the pen-picture of these 'New Woman' by giving voice to those 'modern women'; who prefers to be 'woman' as they are or as they like to be, but not by the influence of any social hegemony. Always, having both a career and a family was a very unlikely combination for a woman. The oppressive attitude of a patriarchal society which restrained women's ambitions certainly caused many a problem for independent-minded women. 'The Millstone' of Drabble has reflected such a story of 'oppression' which compels her to lead a life of 'single mother' against all odds of her life. This proposed paper aims to explore the individual identity issues of women based on their performance as human beings generally and especially, as gendered being as perceived by the society they belong to.