Manju Kapur's debut novel Difficult Daughters (1998) is an enthralling literary work that describes the complexities of women's lives in a male dominated society. This paper explores the diverse identities of female characters portrayed in the novel. It highlights Virmati, the protagonist’s journey, who contravenes social norms, beliefs, and expectations to pursue her desires and ambitions, and challenges the traditional gender roles assigned to women. Virmati's struggles and conflicts against established norms are explored, throwing light on the intersections of gender discrimination. This paper also discusses other female characters in the novel, Virmati's mother Kasturi, her cousin Shakuntala, her friend Swarnlata and her own sister Indumati, who represent different generations and beliefs, and their differing struggles and identities are explored in the context of their social roles and expectations. The influence of patriarchal norms and social pressure on women's choices, relationships, and individuality is critically analyzed, revealing the complexities of women's lives in a traditional society. This research article contributes to the understanding of different identities of women and highlights the complex ways in which women deal with societal expectations, gender roles and discrimination, elucidating the challenges and struggles faced by women in a male-controlled society.