THE PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN THE WORKS OF MARGARET DRABBLE AND VIRGINIA WOOLF

Abstract

 This article explores the portrayal of women in the works of two significant British writers — Virginia Woolf, a pioneer of modernist literature, and Margaret Drabble, a representative of post-war realism. The research focuses on the transformation of female identity, self-awareness, and social status through the lenses of modernism and realism. The study compares Woolf’s introspective and psychological representation of women in Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse with Drabble’s socially engaged depictions in The Millstone and The Waterfall. Using feminist literary criticism and comparative analysis, the article reveals how both authors challenge patriarchal norms while offering different perspectives on women’s autonomy, creativity, and emotional experience. The findings show that Woolf’s women seek inner freedom through consciousness and thought, while Drabble’s heroines pursue balance between personal fulfillment and social responsibility. Together, their works trace the evolution of women’s literary voices across the twentieth century.