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From Fire to Voice: Feminine Subjectivity in Chithra Divakaruni’s The Palace of Illusions
Full text linkRetellings of mythology serve as powerful instruments for writers to infuse ancient narratives with contemporary concerns, especially those surrounding gender, identity, and agency. In Indian literature, the epic figure of Draupadi, queen, wife to five legendary warriors, and central character in the Mahabharata, has continually inspired reinterpretation. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Palace of Illusions presents a compelling feminist retelling, where Draupadi’s silenced voice and subjective experiences are foregrounded, challenging patriarchal narratives that have long shaped her image. This paper examines Divakaruni’s reimagination of Draupadi as a woman torn between societal expectations and personal agency, emphasising the gendered constraints that define her life from birth to death. It explores how Draupadi’s voice becomes a vehicle of resistance, reclaiming her emotional, physical, and intellectual selfhood within a deeply male-dominated world. The study investigates Draupadi’s imposed polyandry, her complex relationships with Kunti and the Pandavas, and the burden of beauty and chastity she is made to carry, all of which reflect a broader critique of patriarchal constructs
Flows of Freedom and Imprisonment: Analysis of the River Rhône as a Symbol in Byron’s “The Prisoner of Chillon”
Full text linkLord Byron’s “The Prisoner of Chillon” utilises the natural environment, especially the Rhône River, as a powerful symbol that embodies themes of liberty, imprisonment, and the psychological condition of the protagonist, Bonivard. The study examines the interaction between the river’s intrinsic fluidity and the strict confines of jail, demonstrating how Byron employs these natural features to underscore the intricate relationship between the external environment and the prisoner’s developing consciousness. The river serves as a perspective for analysing the changing notion of confinement, implying that it may facilitate reconciliation with the prison's barriers. This analysis also explores the divergent interpretations of the Rhône River and the Arve River, investigating their roles as both physical demarcations and metaphorical reflections of the prisoner’s psychological conflicts. 
Anthropocentric and Ecofeministic Reading of Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies and Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
No full textThe present paper is an attempt to anthropocentric and ecofeministic reading of Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy. It attempts to examine several key themes and critical perspectives. An anthropocentric and ecofeministic lens try to examine Sea of Poppies and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness critique human-centred exploitation of nature and highlight intersections between gender, ecology, and social justice in colonial and postcolonial India. Anthropocentrism is the belief or worldview that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the universe. Ecofeminism is a social and political movement that emerged in the late 20th century, combining ecological concerns with feminist principles. The paper throws light on Amitav Ghosh and Arundhati Roy’s Activism against Anthropocentrism. The researcher tries to find out probable solutions through the selected texts and the authors’ activism. Finally, the objectives would be fulfilled and the hypothesis would be validated
The Female Voice: Re-Reading the Select Short Stories of Raja Rao
No full textRaja Rao (1909-2006) is one of the greatest Indian fiction writers of the past century. He has written many short stories that deal with the problems of Indian women. The present paper will focus on the select short stories by Rao and will evaluate the plight of women in Indian society as has been depicted by him. The paper will also showcase how patriarchal norms affect women’s conditions and also the sort of status they have been invariably and generally allotted in the society. The stories that have been included for the study are: “Akkayya”, “The Little Gram Shop”, “Javni” and “Nimka”. The women in all these short stories suffer a lot due to patriarchal social norms. Women are not regarded as equals to men in this society. They are made only to take care of the household chores like cleaning the vessels, and mopping the floor etc. They have no right to education and are thought to be a procreative machine to have children and to nurture them by sacrificing their bodies. From the feminist point of view, all these stories throw ample light on the plight and condition of women in Indian society. Their exploitation, suppression, and suffering can easily be witnessed in all these stories. The female characters in all these stories belong to rural areas. The condition of the Indian women living in rural areas is more miserable and pitiable than that of the women in urban centres because the literacy rate of the women in rural areas is substantially low as compared to the women residing in urban areas. They are deprived of the basic needs in their lives
Symbolism and Political Allegory in Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq: A Study of Parallelism Between History and Modernity
No full textGirish Karnad’s Tughlaq is a compelling historical play that reimagines the tumultuous reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, a 14th-century Sultan of Delhi, through a modern political lens. Karnad’s fascination with Tughlaq arises from the ruler’s paradoxical personality—an idealist plagued by political failure—which provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of leadership, disillusionment, and power. This article examines how Karnad employs symbolism and parallelism to construct a narrative that is at once historical and profoundly contemporary. The character of Tughlaq, with his utopian aspirations and tragic downfall, serves as an allegorical figure mirroring the political disillusionment of India in the 1960s. Through the strategic use of recurring symbols—such as prayer, sleep, chess, and the rose garden—Karnad probes the intersections of politics, religion, and existential anxiety. These symbols not only deepen the psychological portrait of the protagonist but also evoke broader metaphysical and socio-political concerns. The article argues that the play’s symbolic architecture and historical parallelism enable a critical interrogation of governance, idealism, and the cyclical nature of political unrest, thereby affirming Karnad’s relevance as a modern political dramatist
Revisiting Colonial Historiography: The British Raj in Shashi Tharoor’s An Era of Darkness
No full textShashi Tharoor’s seminal work, An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India, offers a critical examination of the British Raj and its profound impact on India. Published in 2016, Tharoor’s narrative challenges the long-standing myths of British benevolence and progress, presenting a comprehensive analysis of colonial exploitation, economic plunder, and cultural suppression. Through meticulous research and impassioned rhetoric, Tharoor explores the complex dynamics of imperial rule, detailing the systematic dismantling of India’s political institutions, economic structures, and socio-cultural fabric. Central to Tharoor’s argument is the debunking of the notion that British colonization was a benevolent force that modernized India. Instead, he exposes the brutal realities of British policies, from economic exploitation through mechanisms like the draining of India’s wealth to cultural denigration through deliberate efforts to undermine Indian identity and education systems. Tharoor draws extensively from historical records, parliamentary debates, and contemporary accounts to illustrate how British rule perpetuated poverty, exacerbated communal tensions, and laid the groundwork for enduring postcolonial challenges. Moreover, Tharoor’s critique extends beyond historical analysis to engage with contemporary implications, highlighting the persistence of colonial legacies in India’s socio-economic disparities and political discourse. By interrogating the ideological underpinnings of imperialism and its enduring impact on Indian national consciousness, Tharoor invites readers to reconsider narratives of colonial history and their implications for global power structures today. This abstract provides a foundational overview of Tharoor’s exploration, emphasizing its scholarly rigor, historical depth, and relevance to ongoing debates on colonialism’s legacy in postcolonial societies
Reconstructing Identity and Navigating Trauma: A Posthumanist Reading of Jasmine Warga’s The Shape of Thunder
No full textJasmine Warga’s The Shape of Thunder offers a profound exploration of trauma, identity, and human interconnectivity, making it a compelling subject for posthumanist analysis. The novel challenges traditional humanist assumptions, particularly the notion of a stable, autonomous self, by illustrating how grief, loss, and memory destabilize identity. Through the experiences of its protagonists, Cora and Quinn, Warga demonstrates that selfhood is not an isolated construct but a fluid and evolving entity shaped by personal loss, collective trauma, and nonhuman forces. The narrative underscores how human existence is deeply entangled with elements beyond individual agency, including technology, nature, and speculative possibilities. This study argues that Warga deconstructs anthropocentric perspectives by presenting time travel not merely as a fantastical narrative device but as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of trauma and the fluidity of reality. Quinn and Cora’s fixation on reconstructing the past through scientific theories of time travel exemplifies how grief disrupts conventional perceptions of time and selfhood. Their engagement with speculative imagination serves as a coping mechanism, allowing them to process loss in ways that transcend traditional humanist frameworks, which often emphasize linear recovery and the restoration of a singular, coherent self. Instead, Warga portrays healing as a nonlinear and relational process, where identity is continuously reshaped through interactions with the nonhuman world, whether through memory, scientific inquiry, or imagined futures. By situating The Shape of Thunder within a posthumanist framework, this study highlights how the novel redefines trauma and selfhood in a world where reality is fragmented and interconnected. Warga’s portrayal of loss as both a personal and societal construct reinforces the necessity of rethinking identity beyond individualistic perspectives. Quinn and Cora’s experiences illustrate that trauma is not a solitary burden but a shared reality that demands new ways of understanding agency, resilience, and ethical responsibility. Their journey challenges conventional ideas of blame and justice, urging a reconsideration of ethical relationships in a world where actions and consequences are deeply intertwined. This study contributes to broader literary discussions by demonstrating how The Shape of Thunder dismantles rigid binaries between self and other, past and present, and human and nonhuman. By integrating posthumanist thought, Warga’s novel presents a radical vision of coexistence, where identity is no longer static but dynamically reshaped by memory, imagination, and external influences. The novel’s thematic complexity and its challenge to traditional humanist narratives position it as a significant text for examining the intersections of trauma, identity, and posthumanism in contemporary literature. Ultimately, The Shape of Thunder offers a transformative perspective on grief and healing, emphasizing that recovery is not about returning to a pre-trauma state but about embracing new ways of existing within a constantly shifting and interconnected world
Arundhati Roy: Championing Marginalized Voices in the Struggle for Social Justice and Democracy
No full textArundhati Roy, an esteemed author, essayist, and activist hailing from India, has become a tireless supporter of marginalized communities, advocating for issues that reveal and confront systemic injustices. This paper goes into Roy’s diverse contributions to the quest for social justice and democracy, with a particular emphasis on her literary creations and public engagement. In her novels, such as The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Roy uncovers the deeply ingrained inequalities associated with caste, class, gender, and religion. Through her storytelling, she seeks to amplify the voices of those who are oppressed. These narratives act not only as incisive critiques of prevailing societal norms but also as reflections on the broader sociopolitical landscape of modern India. In addition to her literary contributions, Arundhati Roy’s activism addresses significant global and local challenges, such as environmental deterioration, the forced relocation of indigenous communities, and the shortcomings of neoliberal policies. Her vocal resistance to state-sponsored oppression, along with her critical examination of globalization, highlights the inherent conflicts between democratic principles and capitalist motivations. By positioning her efforts alongside grassroots movements and various struggles for resistance, Roy’s advocacy confronts dominant power structures and calls for accountability from those in authority. This study conducts a qualitative examination of the works, speeches, and interviews of Roy, utilizing postcolonial, feminist, and intersectional theoretical frameworks. The objective is to delve into the ways her literary and activist initiatives converge to form a cohesive appeal for justice. Additionally, this analysis contextualizes Roy’s contributions within the broader global conversation concerning democracy and resistance, illuminating both the transformative possibilities and the drawbacks of her efforts. By focusing on Roy’s work as a specific example, this research highlights the crucial role that literature and activism play in cultivating critical awareness and motivating social transformation
Re/reading Violence and Resistance in Black Women’s Slave Testimonios
No full textTransatlantic slave trade and slavery was a common phenomenon witnessed by the world in human history which led to the subjugation and oppression of black Africans for many centuries. Black slave women were the worst sufferers of slavery as they were triply oppressed and endured violence in many forms. To study different facets and forms of violence-physical and psychological violence, social coercion, and implicit violence, and black slave women’s strategies of resistance to it, the present paper critically examines and analyses slave narratives of three black slave women as testimonios. Analysis of Mary Prince’s The History of Mary Prince (1831) discusses the concept of physical and psychological violence, its impact on the lives of black slave women in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century in the West Indies, and Mary Prince’s struggle to seek freedom from her cruel slave-owner by approaching Anti-Slavery society in England. Harriet Jacob’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) depicts her life journey as a black slave girl from North Carolina from a happy childhood through disturbing girlhood to struggling motherhood and then to an activist in the light of the concept of social coercion. Critical examination of Kate Drumgoold’s A Slave Girl’s Story: Being an Autobiography of Kate Drumgoold (1898) seeks to uncover the struggle of Kate Drumgoold who strives to achieve a sense of ‘victorhood’ by following the path of Evangelical Christianity with a strong faith in God before and after the Civil War era in the United States of America
Spiritual Consciousness and Mystical Realization in the Works of Sri Aurobindo: A Critical Exposition
No full textSri Aurobindo, a philosopher, mystic, and poet, holds a significant place in Indo-English literature for his unique synthesis of spiritual philosophy and creative expression. His works embody a deep mysticism that permeates his poetry, critical writings, and philosophical discourses. This research paper explores the mystical elements reflected in Sri Aurobindo’s creative and critical works, focusing on his vision of Integral Yoga, the supramental consciousness, and the transformative power of poetry. His major philosophical texts, such as The Life Divine and The Synthesis of Yoga, provide insights into his concept of spiritual evolution, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and soul for divine realization. Sri Aurobindo’s poetry, particularly Savitri, exemplifies his mystical vision, using profound symbolism and mantric rhythms to evoke spiritual experience. His poetic philosophy, as outlined in The Future Poetry, envisions poetry as a medium of divine expression, where words transcend intellectualism and become vehicles of higher consciousness. Additionally, his critical analyses, including Essays on the Gita, explore the integration of action, devotion, and knowledge in spiritual realization. This study delves into how mysticism shapes Sri Aurobindo’s literary and critical approach, positioning him as both a seer-poet and a philosopher-sage. By examining his integral philosophy and poetic vision, this research highlights how his works bridge the material and the spiritual, offering a transformative path for humanity. Ultimately, the paper underscores the relevance of Sri Aurobindo’s mystical ideas in contemporary spiritual and literary discourse