Exploring Victorian Womanhood in The Naulahka

This paper delves into the multifaceted portrayal of Victorian womanhood within Rudyard Kipling and Wolcott Balestier's collaborative work, The Naulahka. Through textual analysis and historical context, this study investigates the depiction of women characters against the backdrop of late 19th-century society. Exploring themes of agency, societal constraints, and individuality, the research uncovers nuances in the representation of female characters, shedding light on their struggles, aspirations, and roles within a patriarchal framework. Additionally, the analysis explores the intersectionality of race and gender, considering how characters navigate identity within colonial contexts. By contextualizing the text within its socio-cultural milieu, this study offers insights into Victorian ideologies surrounding femininity and challenges conventional narratives of womanhood. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Victorian literature and its reflection on societal norms and values.