Book excerpt: The book Women, Stereotypes and Archetypes, by Manisha Roy, explores the complexity of modern woman’s identity which is no longer supported by convenient but limiting stereotypes. The book tries to answer following questions : -How do the women handle the confusion arising from such a loss? -If stereotypes are rejected can understanding of the meaning and function of the archetypes in human psyche offer the majority of women guidelines to a secure identity? -Is an American woman's problem of identity different from that of a woman of another culture? -And finally, where does all this change and crisis lead? Examples from the author’s analytical practice of 40 years and life-long anthropological research and teaching are used to support her observations and conclusions.