HI SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR CENTRE FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION (Group-3, Elective Paper-IV) Indian English Novel For M. A. Part-I KJ Copyright © Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. (Maharashtra) First Edition 2010 Prescribed for M. A. Part-I All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form by mimeography or any other means without permission in writing from the Shivaji University, Kolhapur (MS) Copies : 2,000 Published by: Dr. D. V. Muley Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur-416 004. Printed by : Shri. A. S. Mane, I/c. Superintendent, Shivaji University Press, Kolhapur-416 004 Kolhapur. ISBN- 878-81-8486-383-3 # Further information about the Centre for Distance Education & Shivaji University may be obtained from the University Office at Vidyanagar, Kolhapur-416 004, India. # This material has been produced with the Developmental Grant from DEC-IGNOU, New Delhi. (ii) Centre for Distance Education Shivaji University, Kolhapur I ADVISORY COMMITTEE I Prof. (Dr.) N. J. Pawar Dr. D. V. Muley Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Dr. A. B. Rajge Shri. B. S. Patil Director BCUD, Finance and Accounts Officer, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Dr. B. M. Hirdekar Prof. (Dr.) U. B. Bhoite Controller of Examination Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. Dr. (Smt.) Vasanti Rasam Prof. (Dr.) A. N. Joshi Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Director, School of Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Y. C. M. O. U. Nashik. Prof. (Dr.) B. S. Sawant Shri. J. R. Jadhav Dean, Faculty of Commerce, Dean, Faculty of Arts & Fine Arts, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Prof. (Dr.) S. A. Bari Dr. T. B. Jagtap Director, Distance Education, Dean, Faculty of Science, Kuvempu University, Karnataka. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Prof. Dr. (Smt.) Cima Yeole Dr. K. N. Sangale (Member Secretary) Dean, Faculty of Education, Director, Centre for Distance Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. I B. O. S. MEMBERS OF ENGLISH I Chairman- Shri. J. A. Mhetre Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Arts, Science and Commerce, 17, Malhar Peth, Satara G Prof. (Dr.) P. A. Attar G Shri. G. M. Shikalgar, Professor and Head, Dept. of English, Bhogawati Mahavidyalaya, Kurukali, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Tal. Karveer, Dist. Kolhapur. G Shri. B. M. Ladgaonkar, G Dr. Ashok Thorat Yashwantrao Chavan Warana 10, Usha Manor, Body Gate Bus Stop, Mahavidyalaya, Warananagar, Ganeshkhind Road, Aundh, Pune. Dist. Kolhapur. G Dr. Shreedhar Gokhale G Shri. S. V. Shelake Professor, Dept. of English, Raje Ramrao Mahavidyalaya, Jath, Poona University, Poona, Aundh Pune. Dist. Sangli. G Dr. Rajagopal G. G Shri. Pandurang Rangrao Shewale English and Foreign Languages Shri. Shahaji Chh. College, 296, 'C', University, Hyderabad. Dasara Chowk, Kolhapur. G Shri. S. D. Thorat Kai. Sou. Malati V. Patil Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Urun-Islampur, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli. (iii) Centre for Distance Education Indian English Novel Shivaji University, M. A. Part-I English Group-3, Kolhapur. Elective Paper-IV Writing Team Author’s Name Unit No Mr. A. B. Undare 1 Dr. Ghali College, Gadhinglaj Dr. M. G. Kadam 2 S. G. M. College, Karad Mr. R. P. Kambale 3 Night College, Kolhapur. Dr. I. R. Draxi 4 Regional Co-ordinator, Centre for Distance Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur Dr. (Mrs.) P. V. Ghorpade 5 K. R. P. Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Islampur. Smt. L. A. Patil 6 Vivekanand College, Kolhapur. Mrs. Jagtap S. C. 7 Mudhoji College, Phaltan Mr. G. B. Patil 8 Shri Shiv-Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Sarud Dr. (Mrs.) R. G. Barvekar 9 Deptt. of English, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. I Editors I Mr. J. A. Mhetre Chairman, B.O.S. in English Shivaji University, Kolhapur Lal Bahadur Shastri College, Satara Dr. M. G. Kadam Dr. S. I. Noorani (Asso. Prof.) Head, Department of English Head, Department of English D.K.A.S.C. College, Ichalkaranji S. G. M. College, Karad (iv) Preface Dear students, This book is in the form of Self Instructional Material for M. A. Part-I Group-3, Elective Paper-IV Indian English Novel which is prepared by a team of eminent professors. The syllabus of this paper has already been made available on the University website and in the print form. The paper deals with general topics on Indian English Novel and eight novels written by the Indians which very much reflect Indian life in literature. Unit No. 1 deals with the history and survey of Indian English Novel. Unit Nos. 2-9 deal with eight novels which highlight the life and works of the novelists and the aspects of the novels: summary, plot, themes, characterization and technique. This book includes objective type questions with their answers, exercises and references for further reading. You are advised to read the original texts and critical material available on them in print and on line. Good Luck. Editors (v) Indian English Novel M. A. Part-I English Group-3, Elective Paper-IV CONTENTS 1. General Topics 1 2. R. K. Narayan's The Guide 26 3. Raja Rao's Kanthapura 63 4. K. A. Abbas's Inquilab 99 5. Bhabani Bhattacharya's A Goddess Named Gold 118 6. Manohar Malgonkar's A Bend in the Ganges 145 7. Anita Desai's Cry, the Peacock 170 8. Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake 208 9. Upamanayu Chatterjee's The Last Burden 244 (vii) Each Unit begins with the section objectives - Objectives are directive and indicative of : 1. what has been presented in the unit and 2. what is expected from you 3. what you are expected to know pertaining to the specific unit, once you have completed working on the unit. The self check exercises with possible answers will help you to understand the unit in the right perspective. Go through the possible answer only after you write your answers. These exercises are not to be submitted to us for evaluation. They have been provided to you as study tools to keep you in the right track as you study the unit. (viii) Unit-1 General Topics 1) Rise & Development of Indian English Novel 2) Indian Political and Historical Novel in English 3) Indian English Novel with Social Purpose 4) Indian Women Novelists in English Index : 1.1.0 Objectives 1.1.1 A Brief Outline of Indian English literature 1.1.2 The Place of Novel in Indian English literature 1.1.3 Rise & Development of Novel and Formative Elements 1.1.4 Development of Novel in Pre-Independence Period 1.1.5 Development of Novel in Post-Independence Period 1.1.6 The New Novel of Experimentation 1.1.7 Conclusion 1.1.8 Check Your Progress 1.1.9 Key to Check Your Progress 1.1.10 Exercises. 1 M. A. Part-I : Indian English Novel…1 1.1.0 Objectives : After studying this unit you will be able to: G acquaint students with rise and development, growth, major themes and types of Indian English novel. G make students understand features of political and historical novel, major novelists and their contribution. G acquaint the students with characteristics of Indian novel with social purpose, major novelists and their contribution. G acquaint students with Indian women novelists, features of their novels and their contribution. 1.1 Rise and Development of Indian English Novel 1.1.1 A Brief Survey of Indian English Literature : Indian English literature is an endeavour of showcasing the rare gems of Indian writing in English. At the initiative stage, Indian English literature became a new form of Indian culture and voice in which India spoke. While Indian authors – poets, novelists, essayists, dramatists have made significant contribution to world literature since the pre-Independence era, the past few years have seen a massive flourishing of Indian English writing in the international market. Indian writers writing in English have conquered the world. These eminent writers have won national and international literary awards, attracted vast media’s attention and made the publishing history breath afresh. With a rising readership, they are the centre of critical attention, scholarly works and research activities of international academia. 1.1.2 The Place of Novel in Indian English Literature : There have been different forms of writing developed in Indian English Literature like poetry, prose and drama, but only possible literary form through which a writer can hope to keep himself in constant touch with the common readers is fiction. Usually writers get themselves established through this genre. The bulk of Indian English Literature is in the novel form. Though its growth in later years far exceeded that of most other forms, fiction was actually last to arrive on the Indian English literary scene. 2 1.1.3 Rise and Development of Indian English Novel The first Indian novel published in English was Rajmohan’s Wife in 1864 written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. In the beginning the novel established itself both in quality and quantity with a direct impact on the social and religious aspects of life. In the 19 th century fiction writing was rather limited. The second attempt of writing fiction was done by Toru Dutt in the form of Bianca or The Young Spanish Maiden which was of course of posthumous publication. Ramesh Chandra Dutt translated two of his novels into English from Bengali namely The Slave Girl of Agra and The Lake of Palms. Dr. (Mrs.) Meenakshi Mukharjee observes, “The novel, the genre of imaginative literature which gives artistic form to the relationship of man and society was conspicuously absent until the nineteen twenties.” The earliest Indian novels were written in Bengali as Bengal was the first region to come under the domineering influence of the British. A novel by an Indian writer demands a sense of belonging and direct involvement in values and experiences which are valid in the Indian context.