Authors:

Divyeshkumar Bhatt, Kruti Kotecha

Abstract:

Literature is the mirror of society; both are deeply interconnected and have an everlasting influence on one another. Literature reflects the reality of society; sometimes through the works of fiction and other times through expressing reality in non-fiction, just as it is. Literature depicts a true glimpse of society’s reality. This research aims to analyse and examine the role of literature in shaping beliefs and influencing a child’s concepts regarding gender roles and their associated stereotypes through the lens of Cognitive Development Theory and Reader’s Response Criticism. A child starts understanding the notions of gender roles and starts processing them from birth itself; these beliefs are established or rejected by their interaction with society and by reading books. This research paper examines the ambiguity about gender stereotypes in contemporary Indian English Children's books, analysing two texts: Mayil Will Not Be Quiet and Mostly Madly Mayil. Characters depicted in children’s books, and the ideas represented in them, shape a child’s concept of socially accepted roles and values, and indicate how males and females are supposed to act, behave, and work according to the gender schema. These depictions have a greater role in framing the outlook that the children will have towards society while growing up.

Keywords:

Gender Schema, Reader’s Response Criticism, Gender Stereotypes, Cognitive Development, Children’s Literature

Vol & Issue:

VOL.17, ISSUE No.4, December 2025