Gender Depiction In Literature

Dixya Poudel

Every bookworm hasn’t just guffawed but also cried buckets over books that are conjured up fictionally. Why do novels and stories create such dramatic responses over something that is based on fiction? The truth is readers feel empathy while reading. If the situation in a book is mirthful, readers rejoice while in turn they are saddened over agonizing fictional situations. Given that books have such an influence over human world, it is necessary that they impart educational and positive messages to the readers.

 One such message could be the way gender is represented in fiction and even non-fiction narratives. Desolately, studies have shown that the gender gap is alarmingly present in literature which is a cause for concern. According to World Economic Forum (WEF), there is an unequal gender representation in the literary world. In its study, Artificial Intelligence (AI) scanned 3,000 books in English language and found that the male to female ratio when it came to representation was 4:1 which is really dismaying. 

Further, the study showed that girls and women were found to be vastly described as ‘pretty, amiable and weak’ while men were described as a ‘leader’ with power, strength and political influence. Why is there such a vast difference when it comes to gender representations? One could say that art such as books imitate life. And human world assigns different roles, influence and statuses according to the gender. Even as gender is becoming increasingly versatile, there are gaps that ought to be addressed for an inclusive society. 

Parents can educate themselves when it comes to literature so that their children can be gifted with the right kind of books, those that promote equality, inclusivity and empowerment irrespective of the gender. From the cocoon of childhood to the tumultuous teen and challenging adulthood, people see multiple changes in their life. And throughout their evolution into adulthood, they learn through their ability to read which is why books ought to be selected with caution. 

Textbooks are mostly generic and a required reading but when it comes to literature, the selections are vast, elective and almost infinite. Thus it is important to impart educational books to young students who are as yet learning their place in the world. What kind of messages are non-fictional and fictional books imparting? Are there female representations in literature that break the glass ceiling when it comes to stereotypes? Are there strong females who work in specialised fields that are mostly considered to be the domain of the males? 

Then there are queer empowering females who ought to be brought to fictional world so that teens struggling with their identity can relate.

Gender stereotype is really a sore issue even as the world today sees a changing dynamic in education, family and workplace. Despite the many achievements in breaking the gender stereotype, women are expected to manage both work and home while also being deferential to the men in their lives. 

It is vital that the gender gap be shrunk and that children today grow up to be contributing members of their society regardless of their gender. As a medium of education, awareness and knowledge, books can positively influence readers which are why it is important that literature break the stereotype when it comes to its gender representation.