CATERPILLAR WANTS TO FLY FREE (DREAM OF A GIRL) IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF SHORT STORIES BY SUDHA MURTHY

Abstract

This study explores the symbolic and thematic dimensions of Sudha Murthy’s short story “Caterpillar Wants to Fly Free (Dream of a Girl)”, focusing on the emotional transformation and silent resistance of a young girl within the Indian middle-class socio-cultural framework. Using the metaphor of the caterpillar, the narrative reflects the protagonist’s psychological journey from suppression to self-realization. The research employs feminist literary criticism and socio-cultural analysis to examine how Murthy represents female aspiration, identity formation, and the subtle forms of resistance that define the lives of many Indian girls.