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Fiction Undermining Theory: Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita and Freudian Psychoanalysis
Get PDFThe present article aims to show how this modernist novel resisted and actively undermined the overwhelming critical discourse of Freudian psychoanalysis that has dominated the critical and theoretical world of literary studies at the time. Although much has been said and written about the antipathy of Vladimir Nabokov to Sigmund Freud, very little has been written on what the novel has actively done in respect to reversing the epistemological power discourse that dominates the relationship of literary works to critical “theory.” The contribution of this paper is reading Lolita as an example of “applied literature,” i.e., a literature that anticipates, challenges, revises and undermines the critical theory that is supposed to read/analyze it. Theoretically, the paper benefits from contributions of scholars such as Shoshana Felman and Piere Bayard. The paper is sectioned into an introduction, a “classic” psychoanalytical reading of Lolita, a section that reviews and assesses the problems with such a reading, and a conclusion that sums up the findings of the study. 
Revisiting the Aspects of Arnold’s Philosophy of Culture and Education
Get PDFThe present article examines the fundamental principles and ideas that underpin Matthew Arnold's views on culture and education, highlighting his profound influence on Victorian thought and beyond. It outlines Arnold's conception of culture as the pursuit of perfection and sweetness and light, through the study and appreciation of the best that has been thought and said. The paper explores Arnold's argument that culture is a powerful agent for societal improvement, capable of elevating human spirit and mitigating the harshness of industrial society. Furthermore, it analysis Arnold's educational philosophy, which advocates for a broad, humanistic curriculum that emphasizes moral and intellectual development over practical skills, arguing that education should aim to cultivate thoughtful, informed citizens. The article assesses the impact of Arnold's ideas on contemporary education and culture, critiquing their relevance and application in today's context. Through a detailed analysis, the article presents Arnold's philosophy as a holistic approach to education and culture, one that seeks to harmonize the individual's inner life with the outer demands of society. The question of access to education has always been at the forefront of class struggle. Capitalist societies have privileged kind of schools’– a hierarchy of schools. The schools available to most wage and salary earners are largely provided by the state, an organization which exercises power on behalf of the ruling class. Matthew Arnold was one of the inspectors of elementary schools under Her Majesty’s reign, and remained in his post for nearly thirty-five years. He brought forth his opinion about the relevant role of the State in education. He was concerned primarily with the educational rights of the middle class. He cherished the hope of improving society through its educational institutions. He believed that the object of education was growth and promotion of culture. The education in his opinion was an instrument of general civilization. Arnold was undoubtedly a ‘man of culture’. He was a critic of society. Culture, in his opinion, could be the remedy against the malady of anarchy
Fruits of Migration: Seeing Punjabi Diaspora through its Stories
Get PDFDisplacement for survival, perhaps since the inception of life on the earth, has been a marked feature of the animal kingdom—be it birds, mammals, reptiles, or human beings. However, these are only human beings who migrate not just for survival but also for a better life. In this very context, the present paper deliberates on the migration of Punjabis to England, America, and Canada through some of the short stories in Punjabi produced by the migrants settled in these countries. The stories have been taken from an anthology titled Punjabi Parvasian Dian Kahanian (The Stories from Migrant Punjabis), edited by Jinder and Baldev Singh Baddan. The selected stories bring forth the diasporic people’s desires, sometimes lust also, to enjoy the riches and the glamorous life of the western countries and their struggles for success in foreign lands. This literary response is a collection of mixed experiences. On the one hand, it exhibits bewilderment at the incompatibility with the new culture, a sense of alienation, and the sacrifices of health and ethics to reach prosperity; on the other, it brings forth how the migrants learn to explore themselves, gain independence (especially women) and shed their weaknesses and narrow attitudes in the new liberal environments. This study also includes the problem of illegal migration, the vice of greed behind it, the resultant fear and frustration, and how it results in turning humans into not-less-than-beasts
Social Discrimination in Bhabani Bhattacharya’s So Many Hungers
Get PDFThis article offers an in-depth analysis of suffering and social discrimination as a central theme in Bhabani Bhattacharya’s So Many Hungers. The novel portrays different types of socio-gender discrimination and his characters seem to be at war with both the self and society. India must reorient her national life on a new social basis where woman has to sacrifice her comforts in the social rebirth of India. It emphasizes the author’s nuanced portrayal of the Indian society during the tumultuous period of the Bengal Famine and the Quit India movement against the backdrop of World War II. Bhattacharya’s narrative unveils the complex layers of discrimination present within the society, accentuated by the crisis. The article commences by explicating the socio-economic disparities highlighted in the novel, examining Bhattacharya’s critique of the British colonial government and the elite Indian class. Bhattacharya astutely intertwines these inequalities with the plight of the famine victims, illuminating the juxtaposition between excessive affluence and abject poverty. The author makes a minute scrutiny of the prevailing caste system, elucidating how it perpetuates the vicious cycle of discrimination. Bhattacharya’s female characters, often victims of societal norms and expectations, expose the prevalent gender biases. However, they also emerge as symbols of resilience, defying their ordained roles in an oppressive system. The article argues that Bhattacharya uses this setting to indicate that freedom from colonial rule must accompany freedom from socio-cultural biases for India to truly progress. The study also depicts how a woman plays a role of a bridge between culture, custom and conventions. It tries to pose a testimony to the lasting relevance and power of his writing in contemporary discussions on social equity and justice. The innocent preys of hunger grab the role of hunters and try to explore the different reactions and the changed attitude for the same. This paper traces out the cause of human suffering and their possible remedies through a sensitive understanding of the problem of the contemporary Indian society
Recontextualizing the Narratives: Exploring Oppression and Genocides in the Mahabharata
Get PDFThe inhuman acts of mass-killing and oppression are as old as the history of civilization. Many have been condemned while numerous still fail to make it to headlines. The very discrimination between what is condemned and what gets brushed under the carpet delineates an oppressive tendency based on factors such as race, ethnicity, caste and religion. The present paper aims to explore and interpret two episodes from the Mahabharata that deal with oppression and/or genocide. First is the popular episode of Sarpasatra where Janmejaya, son of Parikshit, embarks on the sarpamedha yajna to kill all the snakes in order to avenge the death of his father. The second is a lesser-known episode in the Astika Parva of the Mahabharta where Garuda, instructed by her mother Vinata, selectively eats thousands of nishada to quell his hunger. At the heart of both the episodes are discrimination, dehumanization and an act of othering. Janmejaya sees the nagas as a threat and feels their annihilation is justified. When Vinata is telling his son Garuda about the dwelling place of the nishada, her conscience is convinced, her morality justifies the mass-murder of a race that was considered inferior in the social structure. Her warning to his son regarding how to avoid any sin by eating not eating a brahmin confirms that the prevalent morality sanctioned/endorsed this oppression favoring the oppressor against the oppressed. The Mahabharata as a grand-narrative not only subtly points out the inherent oppressive nature of the patriarchal morality, but also comes up with counter-narratives. There is a twist in the tale. A brahmin married to a nishada comes to the rescue of his wife pointing out the existence of alternate moralities as well as the intermingling of races. Similarly, the sarpamedhha yagna is intervened by Astika and the race of snakes is spared. While the emergence of a rescuer marks a major turning point and an effort in bringing home the lesson of inclusiveness and harmonious co-existence, it does not undo the damages already caused in the process
Stevens: The Unreliable Narrator in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of The Day
Get PDFKazuo Ishiguro, an eminent figure in contemporary literature, crafts narratives distinguished by their nuanced, restrained characters. One of his most profound works, The Remains of the Day (1989), offers readers a masterclass in the art of subtle storytelling. Central to this novel is the depiction of the protagonist, Butler Stevens, an embodiment of Ishiguro’s knack for blending subtlety with complexity. Stevens stands as a hallmark of Ishiguro’s imaginative prowess, serving as an intricate reflection of an era gone by. This character’s unyielding dedication to his profession, as reflected in the ideals of “Butler’s dignity,” not only encapsulates his identity but also becomes the lens through which he views the world. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, this seemingly unshakeable commitment is juxtaposed against Stevens’ personal introspection during a brief hiatus from his professional realm. This period of introspection proves revelatory, unearthing memories, regrets, and truths previously buried beneath the veneer of his professional demeanor. The novel expertly ‘compels’ its readers to discern the actuality behind the events depicted and, simultaneously, beckons them into the emotional depths of Stevens’ responses. As Stevens delves into the annals of his past, a realization dawns upon him: there are moments of folly, instances of misled loyalty, and actions driven by misconceptions. While he had dedicated his life to the grandeur of Darlington Hall, this commitment had come at the expense of personal fulfillment and genuine human connections. Towards the novel’s denouement, a poignant sense of regret permeates Stevens’ psyche. The culmination of this sentiment is his acknowledgment of certain truths and the unreliability of his own narration. This unreliable narration isn’t just a literary device but serves as a mirror to Stevens’ internal conflict, revealing the dichotomy between his perceived duties and suppressed emotions. Thus, The Remains of the Day is not just a tale of loyalty and duty but an exploration of the human soul, its vulnerabilities, and the intricate web of memories and emotions that define us
The Poetry of Syed Ameeruddin: A Thematic Appraisal
Get PDFSyed Ameeruddin, born on 5th December 1942 at Guntakal-A.P. (India) took his agonal last breath on November 28, 2020 in Chennai of Tamil Nadu. As a poet, critic, New College Professor and Founder of the International Poet’s Academy he earned a distinguished place among Indian English Writers of today by dint of his unfailing hard work, compositions and oeuvres. His magnum opus— Visions of Deliverance with epical grandeur explores the infinite reality in its multifarious existential dimensions ranging from mundane and temporal to the mesmerizing eternal lands of everlasting beauty signifying what in Indian lexicon is termed as Sat-Cit-Ananda— Existence, Consciousness and Bliss. The book has 30 lively poems bright like gems beaded in a string. All the poems move in a perpetual movement to create emotion, feelings of auspicious joy as at the birth of a biological being and his/her upbringing. His humanitarian concerns, philosophical backdrops, metaphysical preoccupations together solve/ resolve the chaotic realities and sparkles of life with illuminating zest and determination in a diction which applies simplicity, directness, lucidity and a lilting mode. Accordingly, he emerges as a poet with multiple hues magical and vibrant embracing verbal ecstasy, visual beauty and imagistic delicacy. Imagery and symbolism that are richly present in abundance in Ameeruddin’s poetry which has been discussed in this paper at length with appropriate citations from the text. What is more enticing to his poetry is the discovery of hitherto unfathomed secret spheres of darkness pertaining to culture, heritage and civilization. As an entertainer in poetry, he attempts to explore broader ranges of human thoughts, lived experiences, mundane, cosmic and apocalyptic visions to entertain; simultaneously to transport his discerning readers into the world of his noble creation. The subjective elements delicately connect to the events/activities of his own times. As a master craftman the poet brilliantly illustrates in his long poem the subjective imagery of his Grandson which brings to fore surrealistic and long-winded phrases. A study of all salient features such as—the artistic representation of the theme, musical texture, use of native tongue, poetic mission, prophetic utterances and lyrical grandeur has tersely been done to focus on Ameeruddin’s life and the whole gamut of his literary output with particular reference to Visions of Deliverance
An Ecological (Re)presentation of Depravity and Environmental Depletion in Adamu Kyuka’s The Death of Eternity
Get PDFThe notion that the environment has always served as a thematic and aesthetic base for the production of texts in the literary enterprise, globally is inarguable. In attestation, of the afore claim, this paper draws cogent data from Adamu Kyuka’s The Death of Eternity to closely examine the natural world and the environment as underscoring the relationship between man and his environment. The paper is exponential in its portrayal of man’s symphonic interaction with the environment as a blessing or a curse. Going forward, this paper builds a composite philosophy around the intersection between literature and environment. Where it argues that Nigerian literature has become more conscious of issues arising from resource control, as it especially relates to the devastating effect it melts on the environment. In concretizing these arguments, the paper deploys Ecocriticism as its analytical/investigative mechanism to explore the selected text as a fair representation of the environmental degradation Nigeria suffers at large. Seemingly, the choice of Ecocriticism as the investigative tool identifies the selected author as keenly aware of the devastating effect of industrial pollution as portrayed in the text under study as an expression of the commitment of the course of environmental preservation. The paper therefore finds that, Kyuka’s The Death of Eternity is critical in its examination of the social injustices, greed, corruption, political crisis and economic setbacks as social ills which are inspired by the scramble for natural resources
Social Politics Behind the Faces: A Realistic Study of Shashi Tharoor’s The Five Dollar Smile
Get PDFAlthough life has always been running around almost in the same way, to see it closely, literature takes the initiative and becomes helpful to interpret it. The stories of modern authors are inclined to unmask the smallness of society through a realistic approach that aims at brevity. This inclination is a result of progressivism in literature and proves itself very useful to society as it raises the finger where it needs to reform. Postmodern authors accept that seeing and hearing are not the work only of eyes and ears, for they are useless without the cooperation of the mind, so they write what they feel, and then they create characters real and near to life. Indian English literature, in this sense, is very prosperous, having a long list of successful realistic authors, and no doubt its highest rank starts with writers like Shashi Tharoor. Tharoor is indeed well known as a novelist and non-fiction writer, but sadly, as a short story writer, he is a victim of critical omission. The present paper is an endeavour to fill this gap
Memory, Trauma and Partition: Reading Sunanda Sikdar’s Dayamoyeer Katha
Get PDFIn recent years the scholastic emphasis on the refugee narratives, which conventionally focused on the loss of lives, homes and resources, is now reimagined as stories of survival and resurrection of people deprived of their homes. Nostalgia for a lost homeland often takes centre stage in refugee narratives. To be physically severed from a space internalised as the safest eternal abode and start afresh is a daunting task. Anchita Ghatak’s translation of Sunanda Sikdar’s Dayamoyeer Katha, A Life Long Ago narrates the life events of Dayamoyee, who chooses to revisit her past, deciding to write about the first ten years of her life in the East Pakistan village of Dighpait following the death of Majamda, a Muslim brotherly figure who sells his cows to come and meet her in India. The return to her childhood’s blissful land unearthed several hidden memories that brought the politics of religion, caste, class, and gender to the forefront. Without paying attention to her aunt’s continuous warnings not to mingle with the Muslim neighbours, Daya found it possible to eat, touch, and have fun with them in her childlike innocence. As the refugees arrive at Dighpait, her aunt remains unwilling to equate them with the native Muslim folk, the ‘bhoomiputra, the “sons of the soil”. Besides the narrator, we also have Snehalata, Daya’s aunt, her foster mother and a child widow. As she narrates how she grieved over the withdrawal of fish and other materialistic pleasures from her daily life rather than her young husband’s demise, we are reminded of the unfair austerity imposed on them in contrast to the elderly widowers who had no restrictions and even remarried occasionally. Characters like Modi bhabi, the woman who lost her mind as her childhood companion Suresh Lahiri left for Hindustan; Mejobhabi, wife of Khalek, who had to be ‘modernised’ to join her husband, now a senior army officer in Pakistan; Sudhirdada, the effeminate male whose murder portrays a show of power in the village, and Gouri, an instance of widow-remarriage needs scholarly attention. The novel further mentions Daya’s mother, the headmistress of a school in Hindustan, and Anita, a leading actress opposite Kishore Kumar, thus representing the educated, empowered women. The very moment of Daya deciding to write about her past is auspicious; it is the moment of finding one’s voice, of illuminating the horrors of the past, and the moment of triumph and healing. Dipesh Chakraborty mentions two aspects of memory: “the sentiment of nostalgia” and the “sense of trauma”, which pervades Dayamoyee’s narrative, but for her, it is equally therapeutic. The proposed paper looks forward to understanding Daya’s notion of her lost motherland and childhood and how the marginalised gender conceptualises home and rootedness. It proposes to analyse the politics of remembering, forgetting and retelling the stories from the point of the female subaltern who consciously buried her past and later chose to speak up, and in the process, portrayed a realistic picture of women during partition