Author: P K Rajan
Publisher: Arnold Associates/Variety
Year: 1995
Language: English
Pages: 204
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8170313627
Description
This book advances the view that there is an inherent pattern of dualism central to the humanistic vision of Mulk Raj Anand. This dualism is characteristic of the historical processes of Indian renaissance and the liberal democratic revolution in Indian that gained momentum with the growth of the freedom movement.
Anand being a representative voice of this historical epoch reveals a propensity for ambivalent responses in his fictional works-a historically conditioned ambivalence which seems to leave its indelible mark on his novels as aesthetic structures.
In this refreshing addition to Anand criticism, Dr P K Rajan makes a textual study of the novels of Anand which revels how Anand’s humanistic ambivalence becomes decisive not only in terms of the thematic content but in terms of the fictional forms of his works. Using the tools of dialectical approach and textual criticism, Rajan makes a penetrating revaluation of Anand’s individual works excluding the autobiographical series.
In this process this book also suggests certain interesting possibilities in the third world fictional studies. Since Fictional ambivalence is intrinsic to the genre of revolutionary humanism, the methodology adopted here can be used for profitable studies of writes like China Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’O, Edward Braithwaite and Wole Soyinka. It can also lead to stimulating theoretical perceptions and formulations on the aesthetic of ambivalence in relation to revolutionary humanist fiction.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Realist and Fabulist: Untouchable and The Road
Tragic and Romantic: Coolie and Two Leaves and a Bud
Historical and Mythical: The Lalu Trilogy
Linear and Parabolic: The Big Heart and The Old Woman and the Cow
Political and Lyrical: Private Life of an Indian Prince and Death of a Hero
Conclusion
A Selected Bibliography
INDEX