SUBMIS,SION AND REJECTION IN SELECTED NOVELS By Anita Desai

Abstract

The thesis presents a study of the theme of submission and rejection in the life of the Indian woman, a theme that is central to Anita Desai's works. It is demonstrated in Cry. the Peacock (1963), Voices in the City (1965), Where Shall We Go This Summer? (1975), Fire on the Mountain (1977), Clear Light of Day (1980) and Fasting, Feasting (1999). It is intended to imply that the Indian woman who is caught in the web of the Indian social values and assumptions fails to establish a workable balance between her needs and interests and the society's values and expectations. Hence, the novelist reveals an awareness of the Indian woman's problem. She shows that a woman in her society is actually victimized by different forces, both visible and invisible. In her works, themes of loss of self-identity, apprehension, alienation, ostracism and emotional estrangement are thoroughly examined. In addition, the representation of woman's interests and aspirations is found to be very crucial to Desai's experience. Furthermore, the thesis shows the nnique position the novelist occupies among the Indo­ Anglian women writers - a term which is used by Indian critics to refer to the Indian writers who use the English language as a medium of their expression, while WJiting about Indian characters and the Indian milieu.