LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 25:7 July 2025
ISSN 1930-2940

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Chick Literature as a Feminist Genre: Analysing Patriarchy and Inequality in Bharti Kirchner's Narratives

M. Vishnu Varathan, Part-time Research Scholar and
Dr.Shajahan Sait, Research Supervisor, Associate Professor of English

Abstract

Chick literature is a potent vehicle for feminist discourse because it often emphasises the emotional and professional lives of women. This essay examines Bharti Kirchner's Sharmila's Book and Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries as examples of chick fiction from the perspective of feminist struggle. The Indo-American author Kirchner challenges gender inequity and patriarchal conventions ingrained in both contemporary Western society and traditional Indian culture via her female heroes. The research examines how Sharmila and Sunya establish their identities and individuality while navigating dowry customs, professional competitiveness, and cultural expectations. Kirchner highlights the tenacity of women in overcoming sociocultural hurdles and challenges posed by repressive institutions through their hardships and victories. These stories highlight self-discovery, independence, and empowerment—all important themes in chick literature — and show how women's roles are changing in global situations. This study argues that Kirchner's writings represent chick literature not only as a commercial genre but also as a form of literary activism that challenges and reshapes gender relations, drawing on feminist ideas by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan. Ultimately, it demonstrates how chick lit can lend a voice to women's experiences and aspirations, thereby contributing to the broader feminist movement.

Keywords:Patriarchy, Gender Inequality, Feminist Resistance, Dowry System, Female Empowerment, Cultural Identity, Immigrant Experience, Social Transformation

Introduction

Chick literature, often known as "chick lit," has evolved from its beginnings as humorous fiction that focuses on the lives of young women into a potent storytelling genre that challenges gender norms and critiques patriarchal systems. Chick lit, which was first made famous by books like Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary and Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City, was sometimes written down as escapist or shallow. However, in the last several decades, it has developed into a genre that can tackle important female topics, such as resistance, identity, and autonomy (Faludi, 1991). This change has created space for a variety of perspectives, particularly those of multicultural and diasporic authors, who utilise the genre to address structural injustices and cultural tensions in addition to providing entertainment.

One such author is Indo-American novelist Bharti Kirchner, whose writings significantly contribute to the evolving conversation in chick lit. Kirchner, who was born in Kolkata and grew up in India before moving to the United States, infuses her work with an international perspective. The intricacies of immigrant identity, gender norms, and the balancing act between tradition and modernity are often explored in her work. According to Dr. N. Sumathi (2021), Kirchner emphasises the difficulties South Asian women face in negotiating patriarchal structures in both their home countries and Western cultures through her female characters. Kirchner celebrates the strength and independence of women while criticising restrictive traditions, such as dowries, through figures like Sunya and Sharmila Sen.

Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries (2003) and Sharmila’s Book (1999) are two of Kirchner's best-known works in this regard. The main character in Sharmila's book is an Indian lady from Chicago, who must deal with the demands of an arranged marriage and the painful realities of her fiancé's past. This novel examines issues of cultural hybridity, personal autonomy, and the tension between family obligations and individual aspirations. Similarly, Pastries centres on Sunya, a bakery entrepreneur in Seattle, who must manage intricate personal connections while protecting her company from corporate intrusion. These books serve as excellent examples of how modern chick lit can transcend romantic clichés and delve into feminist issues in depth.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

M. Vishnu Varathan,
Part-time Research Scholar
Department of English Jamal Mohamed College, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University Trichy-620020
vishnuvarathan87@gmail.com
&
Dr. Shajahan Sait,
Research Supervisor, Associate Professor of English
Jamal Mohamed College, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University Trichy-620020
apmshajahan786@gmail.com
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