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Bastardy, Betrayal & Ageing: A Gerontological Reading of King Lear
Get PDFWilliam Shakespeare’s much celebrated play King Lear (1606) deals with socio-political themes revolving around the protagonist Lear who divided his fortunes between his daughters on the basis of their flattery. King Lear is a play which is political in nature and the politics of it lie not only on the kingly position of Lear but also on his role as a father. The play depicts the picture of a state where social, domestic, and filial order has fallen down. The daughters of the old man Lear betray him. The reasons behind their betrayal are significant to explore. For Lear his two daughters’ betrayal lies in their lack of consideration for their father and lust for his money which they have already got, making Lear just a useless man to them now. But on the other hand, Edmund’s betrayal to his father raises questions on the hypocrisy of the social orders of the society which have kept him marginalized because of his status as an illegitimate child in the society. The paper attempts to explore the idea of social order being subverted by bringing forth two of the often-overlooked factors which are extremely crucial in driving the plot of the play. The study ventures into this field through the lenses of marginalized characters of Lear and Gloucester who are betrayed by their children and brings another perspective to this argument by bringing forth the conflicted position of Edmund who has been a victim of his father’s wrong doings. The study primarily uses close reading and textual analysis and theoretically uses Gerontological studies in the socio-political background of Shakespeare’s time and takes it further by examining its traces in the contemporary social scenarios
Tracing Potential Hindu Influences in Pre-Columbian Native Indian Cultures of America
Get PDFThis paper posits that prior to Columbus, Hinduism might have had some influence on Native Indian cultures. It looks across a range of dimensions—mythological, symbolic, architectural, linguistic, and philosophical—for any connections that might show dimensions of the pre-Columbian cultures that were influenced by Hinduism. To do this, the analysis compares and contrasts a very wide range of sources. Overall, the findings indicate not just the possibility but the probability of some kind of influence from Hinduism on the pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas. Some linguistic analyses indicate that Native Indian languages of America may have been influenced by Sanskrit, leading to speculation about shared root words and similar naming conventions. This paper does not get too bogged down with details of linguistic comparison but focuses instead on what some scholars—mainly those who see diffusion from ancient India to the Americas as a real possibility—consider to be striking similarities between what is found in the philosophical literature of ancient India and what is expressed in Native Indian cultures of America. In the final analysis, the paper highlights the significance of these findings for the comprehension of cultural interactions and marks out some potential directions for future research
Dattatreya’s Philosophical Teachings: An Ecocritical Perspective
Get PDFThis article explores Dattatreya’s philosophical teachings from an ecocritical perspective. Also, it reviews the perspective of ecocriticism and shows how that ecocritical perspective is useful to analyze the philosophical teachings of Dattatreya, which he learned from his 24 gurus of the natural and human world. To explain Dattatreya’s teachings from the perspective of ecocriticism, we look at how they show and affect the connection between people, nature, and culture. Ecocriticism studies how literature and culture relate to the environment, highlighting how important nature is to human life. Ecocriticism was a term coined in the late 1970s by combining “criticism” with a shortened form of “ecology”—the science that investigates the interrelations of all forms of plant and animal life with each other and with their physical habitats. Ecocriticism, also known as environmental criticism or green studies, refers to writings that examine the relationship between literature and the environment, with a strong focus on the harm humans are causing to nature. Dattatreya, a respected sage and God in Hindu tradition, is famous for his special way of achieving enlightenment. He learned from 24 different gurus (“teachers”) each representing various aspects of nature and life: earth, wind, sky, water, fire, moon, sun, pigeon, python, ocean, moth, bumblebee, elephant, honey collector, deer, fish, prostitute Pingala, osprey, baby, maiden, arrow-maker, snake, spider, and wasp. Dattatreya’s philosophy combines Vedantic and Yogic teachings, focusing on achieving self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. The story of Dattatreya, honored as an incarnation of the Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, appears in some Puranas and minor Upanishads. The 24 teachings learned by Dattatreya are worth discussing from an ecocritical perspective. These teachings, if followed, can save us from deteriorating ecological crises and degrading human values
Unveiling Domesticity: Everyday Life and Lived Experiences in Shakespeare's Select Comedies
Get PDFShakespeare’s plays have long captivated scholars and lay readers alike, inviting multiple readings and interpretations aimed at uncovering the layered, often hidden meanings embedded in his works. The profound worldly wisdom Shakespeare imparts and his keen observation of human nature stem, in part, from his deep acquaintance with the lives of both rural and urban communities. Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a small English town, Shakespeare’s formative years were shaped by the rhythms of provincial life. Later, his relocation to London and his professional successes in the city’s vibrant playhouses exposed him to the complexities of urban existence. These dual experiences—rural simplicity and urban sophistication—imbued his works with a rich tapestry of human experiences, reflected in his nuanced portrayal of everyday life. Shakespeare’s unparalleled ability to depict the domestic world of his time is especially evident in his comedies. These plays often serve as windows into the household dynamics, social customs, and intimate relationships of the early modern period. The domestic sphere, encompassing themes of marriage, family life, gender roles, and economic concerns, is intricately woven into the narratives, creating a mirror for the audiences of his day to reflect on their own lives. His comedies, in particular, lend themselves to a careful examination of how the ordinary yet essential aspects of domesticity intersect with broader social and cultural structures. This paper seeks to explore the ways in which Shakespeare’s own lived experiences—rooted in the everyday lives of villagers in Stratford-Upon-Avon and city dwellers in London—inform his artistic portrayal of domestic life. By undertaking a general survey of domestic life during the early modern period, this study contextualizes Shakespeare’s treatment of domesticity within the cultural and historical framework of his era. It further investigates how the themes of household affairs, interpersonal relationships, and societal expectations manifest in selected comedies, revealing Shakespeare’s acute sensitivity to the interplay between the personal and the social. Ultimately, this analysis aims to illuminate how Shakespeare’s comedies resonate with universal truths about human existence while capturing the specificities of domestic life in his time. 
Decolonizing Disability Studies: Identities, Epistemologies and Global South Perspectives
Get PDFThis research paper explores the concept of decolonizing disability studies as a critical and transformative approach that challenges the Eurocentric presumptions that currently dominate the field. Disability studies as traditionally constituted often perpetuates a colonial epistemology by universalizing Western conceptions of disability and neglecting other cultural, historical, and geopolitical contexts. This study explores the connections between colonialism, disability, and systemic inequalities in order to advance an inclusive, pluralistic paradigm that gives voice to oppressed groups and indigenous knowledge systems. The study looks at how colonial legacies have shaped global perceptions of disability, especially in the Global South, where ableist beliefs are deeply embedded in policy, healthcare, and education. The imposition of Western biological ideas of disability, which often overlook indigenous and local interpretations with deep social and spiritual roots, is contested. By emphasizing decolonial theory, the study emphasizes the significance of opposing these hegemonic frameworks and advancing a more nuanced understanding of disability as a lived experience influenced by intersecting identities such as race, class, gender, and geography. This study employs an interdisciplinary technique, drawing on concepts from critical disability studies, postcolonial philosophy, and indigenous scholarship. It employs case studies from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to illustrate the diversity of disability experiences and the resilience of regional narratives that resist colonial and ableist conceptions. Through five case studies, the paper demonstrates how community-led initiatives and indigenous knowledge can direct more egalitarian and context-sensitive approaches in disability research, policy, and activism. The study also argues for a shift in thinking from one that sees disability as a weakness to one that respects and acknowledges the agency, creativity, and achievements of individuals with disabilities in their unique cultural settings. The study also makes the case for a change in perspective from one that views disability as a deficit to one that values and honours the agency, inventiveness, and accomplishments of people with disabilities within their cultural contexts. By appreciating different epistemologies and collaborating on knowledge production with academics and activists from the Global South, it advocates for the decentring of Western academia
Divine Influences of Haradhanu and The Goddess in Shaping Sita’s Destiny: A Study of Her Spiritual Path in The Forest of Enchantments
Get PDFThis paper highlights Sita’s spiritual journey as influenced by Haradhanu, the divine bow of Lord Shiva, and the Goddess, who guides her in preparing for her destiny in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s, The Forest of Enchantments. It examines the interplay of these divine forces in enabling Sita to navigate the challenges and turbulences of her life and fate. By revisiting the Ramayana through a feminist lens, Divakaruni reimagines Sita as a woman balances traditional submissiveness with profound spiritually empowerment. Haradhanu and the Goddess, functioning as spiritual agencies, reinforce Sita’s resilience and inner strength. This paper applies Feminist Literary Criticism and Archetypal Theory to analyze the significance of these divine and spiritual elements as metaphors and catalysts for Sita’s personal growth and fulfilment of her destined role. Ultimately, the study provides insights into Sita’s dual evolution as both delicate and empowered within mythology and contemporary literature
Postmodern Approaches in the Select Plays of Vijay Tendulkar
Get PDFVijay Tendulkar’s surgical approach to contemporary life earns him a distinguished place in the realm of Indian English drama. In Tendulkar’s theatre reality is often fragmented, socially constructed and theatrically presented. In his wizardry of theatre Tendulkar focuses on postmodern attitudes, marginalized voices, and contemporary social issues. As a sage of postmodernism, the playwright emphasizes patriarchal issues, gender discrimination, alienation, fragmentation, and the subversion of power-structure in most of his plays. The different plights are deployed as a vantage point for postmodern discourse. The sufferings of marginalized people, communal issues, and gay concerns get dramatized and reflected in postmodern perspective. Social issues, postmodern techniques, and symbols often challenges to conventions in his plays. This research paper examines playwright’s postmodern strategies that subvert power structure, challenge traditional notions, narratives and question the notion of reality. It aims to analyze the various aspects of postmodernism through the fragmentation of reality and identity crisis; social hypocrisy and moral ambiguity; patriarchal issues and gender discrimination; and the subversion of power structure in the select plays of Vijay Tendulkar, especially Silence! The Court is in Session and Sakharam Binder
Struggles of Dalits in Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance
Get PDFRohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance provides a vivid and deeply moving depiction of India’s complex social fabric, skillfully intertwining the lives of characters from a variety of backgrounds. Central to Mistry’s narrative are the Dalit characters, who embody one of the most marginalized and oppressed communities in Indian society. This research paper delves into the portrayal of Dalit characters in A Fine Balance, examining how Mistry illuminates their experiences, challenges, and resilience in the face of pervasive systemic discrimination and social injustices. Mistry’s narrative captures the harsh realities faced by Dalits, who are subjected to relentless oppression and prejudice. The novel highlights the socio-economic hardships and the persistent stigmatization that Dalits endure, offering readers a profound understanding of their plight. By focusing on the individual stories of key Dalit characters, the research explores how Mistry conveys their struggles and their capacity to endure and resist despite overwhelming adversity. Through a meticulous analysis of characters such as Ishvar and Omprakash, the paper underscores the various dimensions of Dalit oppression, including caste-based violence, economic exploitation, and social exclusion. Mistry’s nuanced portrayal of these characters not only brings their suffering to the forefront but also showcases their unwavering spirit and determination to seek a better life. The thematic elements in A Fine Balance serve as a powerful lens through which the broader socio-political realities of India can be understood. The research paper emphasizes the significance of the Dalit narrative in the novel, arguing that their stories are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of India’s socio-political landscape. By shedding light on the struggles of Dalits, Mistry’s work encourages readers to reflect on the ongoing issues of caste discrimination and social injustice in contemporary India. The present research article aims to highlight the importance of Dalit representation in A Fine Balance, demonstrating how Mistry’s depiction of their struggles and resilience provides a critical commentary on the entrenched socio-political inequalities in Indian society
Donyi Polo and Ecocriticism in Select Poems of Midsummer Survival Lyrics by Mamang Dai
Get PDFMamang Dai is one of the greatest writers of North Eastern part of India. and is basically known for her creative writings on the themes of ecocriticism and past or historical events. Across all her genres, including novels, poetry, non-fiction, and folklore texts, Mrs. Dai skillfully combines themes of ecocriticism, tribal religion, and the lives of tribal people with significant historical events from their land. The current study endeavors to illustrate the ecological perspective and tribal religion in selected poems from Mamang Dai’s book Midsummer Survival Lyrics. She has proven herself to be an ecologist and has tried to show that human beings are not superior to the non-human lives available on Earth. Mrs. Dai has very beautifully portrayed the lives of tribal people living in the valley of Arunachal Pradesh and has shown how Donyi-Poloism teaches them to live harmoniously with nature and natural things. The present piece of writing titled Donyi Polo and Ecocriticism in Select Poems of Midsummer Survival Lyrics by Mamang Dai aims at providing a detailed study of how tribal people who follow the religion of Donyi-Poloism treat nature and natural things, i.e., flora and fauna, as their siblings. This paper will show how Mamang Dai has shown the concept of Donyi Polo and ecocriticism in select poems of Midsummer Survival Lyrics by Mamang Dai
The Politics of Representation: Gender, Caste, and Power in Translated Gujarati Novels
Get PDFTranslation has never been devoid of power politics. Those civilizations that were in power made sure that their culture and way of life were proved superior over others. For imposing this power politics over other cultures and civilizations, they used translation to a great extent. Due to this political nature in the selection of the source texts to be translated into target texts, the process of translation has been condemned as ‘treachery,’ and translators were regarded as ‘traitors.’ It was also due to this viewpoint that the process of literary translation was considered inferior to that of creative writing. Nevertheless, the use of translation to impose power politics was a recurrent phenomenon throughout the history of colonization. However, the recent trend of literary translation of selected Indian literary works into English sets a narrative of ‘showing Indian culture and way of life in a regressive manner.’ The present research paper focuses on the selected Gujarati fictions (novels) in English translation with this set narrative. The selected Gujarati novels into English translation include: Joseph Mecwan’s Angaliyat translated as Angaliyat - The Stepchild by Rita Kothari, Nandshakar Mehta’s Karan Ghelo translated as Karan Ghelo – Gujarat’s Last Rajput King by Tulsi Vatsal and Aban Mukherji, and Kundanika Kapadiya’s Sat Pagala Akashma translated as Seven Steps in the Sky by Kunjbala and William Anthony. It is interesting that translators chose such Gujarati novels that show regression, partiality, and mistreatment of female and weaker sections of society. It is also interesting that these translations were sponsored and published by renowned national and international publications