Analyse the reasons for women being prevented from reading or writing novels

Women were prevented from reading novels till the beginning of20th century in India due to following reasons
(i) Many people got worried about the bad effects of the novel on readers, specially, women and children, as they were seen as easily corruptible. Some even warned the readers to’Stay away from the novels by writing essays in newspapers and magazines.
(ii) People feared that after reading novels, women would dwell in the imaginary world and forget their priorities, duties and limits. It would ruin the stability of family life.
(iii) Novels gave a new conception of womanhood. Educated and accomplished women could control their own lives. It was not acceptable to our patriarchal society where men enjoyed their position of dominance over the household and society at large. Men feared that educated women would neglect their traditional roles as mother, wives etc.