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Abstract
In literature, psyche stands for the ‘human soul’, ‘mind’ or the inner world of a person. An individual’s psyche is influenced by both internal and external forces. In Greek mythology, Psyche represents a woman’s search for authentic personal growth. Women encounter several social, economic, cultural and political issues which affect the psyche and its development and as a result women struggle to achieve psychic harmony. The inward turmoil and turbulence suggest what happens to them on the external world. Women and psyche have always been the subject matter in Indian Literature. The present endeavor focuses on the oppressive forces of feminine psyche in ManjuKapur’sDifficult Daughters. ManjuKapur depicts the psyche of women living under patriarchy tends to be the psyche of oppression in her novel. Kapur, through the novel, has stressed the limitation of women’s lives and their endless struggle with oppressive forces like the evils of patriarchy and social construct. She openly criticizes the redundant patriarchal values and exhibits an uninhibited expression to the feelings and desires of women. Kapur strives to bring a new social order and harmony which is compatible to the social, physical and psychic well-being of women in general.