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

Abstract

This article explores the similarities in the portrayal of women in the literary works of two prominent British authors — Margaret Drabble and Virginia Woolf. Both writers are deeply concerned with the psychological, social, and intellectual lives of women and their struggle for identity and self-realization in a patriarchal world. The study analyzes key novels such as The Millstone and The Waterfall by Drabble, alongside Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse by Woolf. Using feminist literary theory and comparative analysis, the article identifies thematic and stylistic parallels, including the concept of female consciousness, the search for independence, and the critique of gender norms. While Woolf laid the foundation for the modernist exploration of women’s inner life, Drabble continued this tradition in a post-war, realist context, focusing on the everyday experiences of educated women. The research concludes that both authors use the female voice as a means of resistance and creativity, reflecting the evolving role of women in literature and society.