The Female Bildungsroman: The Study of Krupabai Satthianadhan

Abstract

This article proposes that the autobiographical novels Krupabai Satthianadhan wrote can be considered bildungsroman novels, in which the protagonists evolve into mature personalities by the end of the novel. A bildungsroman is a story of the growing up of a sensitive person, who finds answers to his/her questions through maturity. Generally, such a novel begins with a loss or tragedy that emotionally disturbs the main character. The protagonist gains maturity through a series of life experiences. Saguna’s account of her relationship with her mother and her experiences of the loss of her child is the basis of this analysis.