Yashpal attacks this sort of religious exploitation and hypocrisy not only in Divya but also in his other novels and short stories. Apsara ka Shap is based on the famous Sanskrit epic Abhijnana Shakuntalam. It exposes the hypocrisy of the ruling classes and their attitude towards women in ancient India. Stories like Karva ka Vrat and Gyandan are also known for this kind of exposé. His characters are humane, with capabilities, strengths, a fighting spirit as well as weaknesses and frailties. His female characters are in search of their identity, social respect and equal status. Shail is a representative character of his first novel, Dada Comrade. She is energetic, bold, politically conscious, and participates in the Trade Union Movement. She is sympathetic to a group of young revolutionaries and extends a helping hand when required. She has a soft corner for Harish, a revolutionary and a trade unionist. A time comes when Harish is in extreme desperation, and to give him a healing touch and solace, she offers herself to him. Later on when Harish is given a death sentence, she decides to carry on with her life and gives birth to his child. Shail and Divya are two of Yashpal’s immortal characters.

Yashpal encourages his readers to be critical. He makes it clear that no institutionalized religion is ready to give equal status to women. The novel gives an insight into understanding the true spirit of feminism and meaning of the liberated woman. The three main male protagonists Rudradhir, Prithusen and Marish represent three different schools of thought, that existed during that time—the Brahminical Hindu religion, Buddhism and the materialistic Charvak philosophy respectively.

In all his writings Yashpal aims for social change. He targets the middle-class readership. Though he is critical of the opportunistic mindset of this class—which is hypocritical in its behaviour and attitude—at the same time he has faith in its capabilities. It may be a superficial class but it has created history a number of times. It has been instrumental in bringing about revolution that has ushered in social change in different societies of the world. Yashpal also knows that a writer, however committed, cannot bring about a revolution through his/her writings alone. But it is possible to influence people, to get people to change their attitude and mindset to form the basic foundation of a social system and this in turn creates a congenial social environment for further change. For this reason his readership primarily constitutes the educated middle class. The question of women’s independence becomes more pertinent through Divya’s portrait and her life. There are two options for her to choose from: one, a right to self determination and the other, a path of self-sufficiency. The former is the key to an independent entity which is next to impossible in a patriarchal system. Divya is well aware of this position. There comes a situation when she is ready to denounce the Hindu religion and expresses her desire to embrace Buddhism and lead the life of an ascetic. To her dismay she is denied her wish, as she is asked to get permission from her father, husband, son or master.