The Reflection of Modern Women in Caryl Churchill ‘Top Girls’ and Anita Nair’s ‘Ladies Coupe’

Abstract

Caryl Churchill and Anita Nair, both female authors, have highlighted the issues of modern women in “Top Girls”1 and “Ladies Coupe”2 respectively. Regardless of their geographical, cultural, religious, social, economical, and political differences, most of the women share one thing in common and that is “affliction.” Almost all the personas of both the stories identify and share their agonies, somehow, in a similar way despite the fact that they lived in different periods of history. It is possible that a woman can survive alone without registering in the conventional institution of marriage, even though some aspects of her life remain unfulfilled, empty and unyielding because it is against the law of nature. In “Advice on the Choice of a Mistress” Benjamin Franklin said, “A single man—resembles the odd Half of a Pair of Scissors”3 so it is not just the need of a woman but the man’s as well to have a partner to share life with. Nevertheless, majority of modern women are willing to accept the companionship of men, but they are not intrigued by the marriage institutions. Therefore, the similarities and dissimilarities in both the narratives will be explored with a special reference to modern women’s standpoint.