Symbolism in Anita Desai's Novels

FREE Delivery
Express Shipping
$25
Express Shipping: Guaranteed Dispatch in 24 hours
Quantity
Delivery Ships in 1-3 days
Item Code: IDK564
Author: Kajali Sharma
Publisher: ABHINAV PUBLICATION
Language: English
Edition: 1991
ISBN: 8170172837
Pages: 183
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 8.6" X 5.7"
Weight 320 gm
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
23 years in business
23 years in business
Book Description
From The Jacket

This book is an attempt to discuss comprehensively the symbolism of Anita Desai who is unquestionably one of the foremost Indian English novelists. Her greatness is evident not only in her depiction of the depths of human consciousness and subconsciousness, in her existentialist concern which makes her writings uniquely powerful in her poetic expression, etc., but also in her skilful use of symbolism. Like Lawrence, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Andre Gide, Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka and William Faulkner, she is a brilliant symbolist making an abundant use of symbols in her fictional works. In Fact, the symbolic strain in her fiction is in a sense, the key with the help of which one can properly understand and evaluate her art and ideas. But curiously enough, no full-length study of this significant aspect of her fictional art has hitherto been made; only a few pages are devoted to it in the books so far written on her. Hence the need and justificantion to undertake the present study of her symbolism.

 

About The Author

Born on June 23, 1963 at Aligarh (Utttar Pradesh) Kajali Sharma passed M.A. in English Literature in 1983 in 1st division obtaining first position. She specializes in Indian English fiction, and has already written a few valuable research papers. She was awarded the degree of Ph D in English in 1990 on Anita Desal's fiction. She teaches at T.S.E. Collage, University of Bombay. Currently she is engaged in post-doctoral research on comparative literature.

 

Preface

The present book, a revised version of my doctoral dissertation entitled Symbolism in Anita Desai's Fiction, is an attempt to discuss comprehensively the symbolism of Anita Desal's, who is incontestably one of the foremost Indian English fictionists. Her greatness is evident not only in her depiction of the depths of human consciousness and subconsciousness, in her existentialist concern which makes her writings uniquely powerful in her poetic expression, etc., but also in her skilful use of symbolism. Like Lawrence, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf Andre Gide, Tomas Mann, Franz Kafka and William Faulkner, she is a brilliant symbolist making an abundant use of symbols in her fictional works. Symbols endow her novels with a rare compactness and richness. Thus the symbolic strain in her fiction is in a sense the key with the help of which one can properly understand and evaluate her art and ideas.

In fact a close scrutiny of Anita Desal's writings both expository and creative brings out the truth that symbolism is an integral aspect of her mind and art. As such, a comprehensive understandings of her themes and technique. But curiously enough, no full-length study of this significant aspect of her fictional art has hitherto been made; only a few pages are devote to it in the books so far written on her. Hence the need to undertake the present study of her symbolism. I have not discussed in this dissertation Anita Desai's books written for children and her short stories because in them the novelist finds little scope for the full expression of her symbolist imagination.

I cannot these prefatory remarks without expressing my gratitude to these who have been kind enough to help me in the preparation of this thesis. I am greatly indebted to my learned supervisor, Dr. Manorama Bala Trikha, reader in English, institute of Advanced Studies, Meerut University, Meerut for the unfailing help, affection and guidance. I am deeply grateful to my father, Prof. K.K Sharma D. Litt., Professor of English, University of Allahabad, for his constant help patronage that sustained me to pursue this work to its completion. I am much beholden to my uncle Professor T R Sharma, D Litt., Head of the Department of English, Institute of Advanced studies, Meerut University, Meerut for his kind help and encouragement. I am sincerely thankful to my husband, Mr. Rajeev Sharma, M. Tech, D. S. T. E, Western Railway, for his encouragement and cooperation in many matters. Also, I must make a mention of my daughter, Jayati, who, though only a four-year-old child, would instruct me several times a day saying. "Mummy you must study", "Mummy, would you not read or write?", etc. etc.

In the end, acknowledgment must be made to the various libraries without whose help no scholarly work can ever be possible. In this context, I will like to mention the Delhi University Library; the British Council Library, New Delhi; the U S I S Library, New Delhi; the Allahabad University Library, Allahabad; the Bombay University Library, Bombay; and the Meerut University Library, Meerut. I also take this opportunity to express my indebtedness to all the scholars who have written on Anita Desai's

 

Contents

 

     
  Preface vii
Chapter I Introduction 1
Chapter II Cry, the Peacock 24
Chapter III Voices in the City 47
Chapter IV Bye-Bye, Blackbird 67
Chapter V Where Shall We Go This Summer? 81
Chapter VI Fire on the Mountain 95
Chapter VII Clear light of Day 108
Chapter VIII In Custody 122
Chapter IX Baumgartner's Bombay 134
Chapter X Summing Up 146
  Notes and References 152
  Select bibliography 166
  Index 175

Sample Pages









Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at help@exoticindia.com
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through help@exoticindia.com.
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy