Biology vis-à-vis Culture: Representation of Women in Northeast Indian Literature

Abstract

The representation of women in Northeast Indian literature reflects the complex interplay between biological determinism and cultural constructs. While biological factors often dictate gendered experiences, cultural frameworks shape the identity, agency, and social roles of women in the region. This paper examines how women are portrayed in selected Northeast Indian literary works, focusing on their negotiations between tradition and modernity, patriarchy and autonomy, and nature and nurture. By analyzing texts from prominent writers such as Indira Goswami, Mamang Dai, and Temsüla Ao, this study highlights the tensions between biological essentialism and cultural influence in defining women's experiences. Through a close reading of primary sources, the paper reveals how literature becomes a space for contesting, redefining, and asserting female identity in Northeast India.