Shobha De's Novel Analysis

Secondary status in a male-dominated Indian society, that is conservative. The central theme, therefore, is the emergence of ‘new woman’ in the fast changing social milieu.
Shobha De’s novels are a slice of urban life. In her novels she realistically presents an intimate side of urban woman’s life and also reveals her plight in the present day society. It is a fact that woman is victimized and subjugated by the male community everywhere. She has been the subordinate sex and has to conform to male standards. In most of her novels, Shobha De has focused on marginalization of women in Indian society. She draws our attention to women’s exploitation, discrimination and commodification. The women are treated with double standard. Subjugation and marginalization are the vital factors in their lives. They are never regarded as autonomous beings.
Women In Shobha De’s Novels

In fields such as familial, social, sexual and business, De’s women revolt against the traditional image of Indian woman. They are sexually liberated and free thinking women. Similarly, Aasha Rani of Starry Nights is a liberated woman who lives for her own pleasures and knows no moral codes and value system. Her lesbian experience with friend Linda implies independence from man. Shobha De also reinforces her plea for liberation through the example of Sudha, Aasha Rani’s sister. Sudha lives with Amar without marriage. Here cohabitation, and not marriage seems to be the watchword for her.
In the Indian tradition marriage is glorified as a holy union of man and woman. It is the turning point and the beginning of a new way of life. However, in Shobha De’s novels all these ideas regarding marriage are shattered by her modern liberated women. With marriage the other important issue that De’s novels deal with is sex. Sex to her women is no longer a dreaded and despised thing. Her women enjoy a great deal of sexual freedom.