DIALOGICS OF MARGINALITY IN THE WORKS OF ROHINTON MISTRY AND ARAVIND ADIGA Thesis Submitted to Nagaland University in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH TALISANGLA Ph.D. Regn. No. 507/2012 Under the Supervision of: Dr. LEMTILA ALINGER & Prof. N.D.R. CHANDRA Department of English Nagaland University Kohima Campus, Meriema DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH NAGALAND UNIVERSITY KOHIMA CAMPUS: MERIEMA-797001 NAGALAND 2015 Nagaland University (A Central University Established by the Act of Parliament no. 35 of 1989) Headquarters: Lumami, Kohima Campus: Meriema - 797001 Department of English Date: …………………... SUPERVISORS’ CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Dialogics of Marginality in the Works of Rohinton Mistry and Aravind Adiga” is a bona fide record of research work done by Ms. Talisangla, Regd. No. 507/2012 dated 21st August 2012. This thesis, submitted to Nagaland University in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English, has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other title and that the thesis as such is an independent and original work on the part of the candidate under our guidance. Ms. Talisangla has completed the research work for the full period as prescribed under clause 9 (5) of the Ph.D. Regulations and the thesis embodies the record of original investigation conducted during the period she worked as a Ph.D. research scholar. (Prof. N.D.R. CHANDRA) (Dr. LEMTILA ALINGER) Co-Supervisor Supervisor Vice Chancellor Department of English Bastar University, Jagdalpur Nagaland University Chattisgarh 494001 Kohima-797001 Dr. N. D. R. Chandra Vice Chancellor M.A.; M. Phil.; P.G.D.T.E; Ph.D. Bastar University, Jagdalpur PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH Chattisgarh 494001 Cell No. (0)9436604508 Office No. (0778) 2229239 Fax: (0778)229226 Email: [email protected] Date: …………………... SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Dialogics of Marginality in the Works of Rohinton Mistry and Aravind Adiga” is a bona fide record of research work done by Ms. Talisangla Regd. No. 507/2012 dated 21st August 2012. This thesis, submitted to Nagaland University in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English, has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other title and that the thesis as such is an independent and original work on the part of the candidate under my co-guidance. Ms. Talisangla has completed the research work for the full period as prescribed under clause 9 (5) of the Ph.D. Regulations and the thesis embodies the record of original investigation conducted during the period she worked as a Ph.D. research scholar. (Prof. N.D.R. CHANDRA) Co-Supervisor Department of English Nagaland University Kohima Campus: Meriema Nagaland University (A Central University Established by the Act of Parliament no. 35 of 1989) Headquarters: Lumami, Kohima Campus: Meriema - 797001 Department of English Date: …………………... SUPERVISORS’ CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Dialogics of Marginality in the Works of Rohinton Mistry and Aravind Adiga” is a bonafide record of research work done by Ms. Talisangla, Regd. No. 507/2012 dated 21st August 2012. This thesis, submitted to Nagaland University in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English, has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other title and that the thesis as such is an independent and original work on the part of the candidate under my guidance. Ms. Talisangla has completed the research work for the full period as prescribed under clause 9 (5) of the Ph.D. Regulations and the thesis embodies the record of original investigation conducted during the period she worked as a Ph.D. research scholar. (Dr. LEMTILA ALINGER) Supervisor Department of English Nagaland University Kohima-797001 CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I do hereby, declare that the thesis entitled Dialogics of Marginality in the Works of Rohinton Mistry & Aravind Adiga submitted for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English is a meticulous record of a research investigation independently carried out by me under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Lemtila Alinger and Prof. N.D.R. Chandra, Department of English, Nagaland University, during the period 2012- 2015. This work has not been submitted either in part or in full to any other University/Institute for the award of any degree, diploma or title. Place: Kohima (TALISANGLA) Date: Research Scholar Regn. No. – 507/2012 Department of English Nagaland University Kohima Campus: Meriema Nagaland COUNTERSIGNED Dr. N. DAS Dr. LEMTILA ALINGER Head Supervisor Department of English Department of English Nagaland University Nagaland University Kohima Campus: Meriema Kohima Campus: Meriema Nagaland Nagaland ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by a sturdy scaffold system – a number of people who have provided help and support throughout my research. I would like to begin first by thanking Prof. NDR Chandra, who graciously agreed to take on the supervision of this research and has provided immense encouragement, support and invaluable critical feedback from day one of this research undertaking and all along the way. I am thankful to Dr. Lemtila Alinger who joined the task of supervision halfway through my Ph.D., particularly for her meticulous and incisive reading of my work and feedback. I thank both my Supervisors for making constructive comments and suggestions for improving this thesis. I would also like to thank Prof. Nigamananda Das, Head of Department and all Faculty of English Department, Nagaland University for their ready assistance in every way. My sincere acknowledgements to the following esteemed Universities who made their vast depository of Library resources available to facilitate the research: Central Library, University of Delhi Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, University of Hyderabad Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi Nagaland University Central Library, Kohima Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Delhi Osmania University Library, Hyderabad Ramesh Mohan Library, EFLU, Hyderabad This work would not have been possible without the keen interest shown by friends and colleagues who constantly are a source of motivation: Bendang, Awa, Shashank, Grace, Avi, Senti and Miss Aka. I thank my Principal and colleagues of GHSS, Chumukedima for their generous support. Special thanks to Achi for helping me navigate Hyderabad Central University. I acknowledge my parents for their constant support materially and spiritually, and all my siblings and their families for their unceasing love and encouragement. I would also like to especially thank my aunt Apok who extended hospitality on my several trips to Kohima. Above all, I thank the Almighty God for bestowing abundant blessings. Talisangla Unconditionally For Mom and Dad ABBREVIATIONS Tales from Ferozsha Bagh : TFB Such a Long Journey : SLJ A Fine Balance : FB Family Matters :FM The Scream : Scream The White Tiger : WT Between the Assassinations : BA Last Man in Tower : LMT The Elephant :Elephant The Sultan’s Battery :SB Last Christmas in Bandra :LCB Subaltern Studies SS CONTENTS Supervisors’ Certificate Candidate’s Declaration Acknowledgements Dedication Abbreviations CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1-28 1.1 . Marginality 1.1.1. Subaltern Theory 1.1.2. Dalitism 1.1.3. Diaspora Theory 1.2. Indian English Fiction 1.3. Rohinton Mistry and His Works 1.4. Aravind Adiga and His Works 1.5. Chapter Schematization 1.6. Objectives and Significance of the Study CHAPTER 2: DISCOURSE ON SUBALTERN 29-51 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Meaning/Contested Meanings 2.3. Genesis 2.4. Affiliations with Dalitism 2.5. Summary CHAPTER 3: SUBALTERNITY IN THE WORKS OF ROHINTON MISTRY AND ARAVIND ADIGA 52-126 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Subalternity in Rohinton Mistry’s Works 3.3. Subalternity in Aravind Adiga’s Works 3.4. Women as ‘other’/marginal 3.5. Aged as ‘other’/marginal 3.6. Summary CHAPTER 4: DISCOURSE ON DIASPORA 127-163 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Meaning/Contested Meanings 4.3. Homes/Imagined Homes 4.4. Longing/Belonging - Hybridity 4.5. Identity Crisis 4.6. Leaving/Returning 4.7. Destabilising the Nation: Displacement and Dislocation 4.8. Summary CHAPTER 5: DIASPORIC EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKS OF ROHINTON MISTRY AND ARAVIND ADIGA 164-229 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Diasporic Experience in Rohinton Mistry’s Works 5.3. Diasporic Experience in Aravind Adiga’s Works 5.4. Home – A Contested Site 5.5. Language of Marginality 5.6. Summary CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 230-245 Bibliography 246-272 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Narratives of marginality are polyphonic. The several voices coming from various locations, from the minorities or diasporic communities cry for attention in the mainstream society, endeavouring to carve out a niche in the elite discourse. These voices contest, contradict and complement each other. These marginalities include class/caste, race, gender and diaspora. Viewing the centre from these marginal positions in the creative texts of Rohinton Mistry and Aravind Adiga, a decentring is initiated. To keep alive any discourse, it is imperative to avoid totalizing discursive practice into rigid mode of being and meaning. Dialogism allows difference and multiple interpretations instead of subsuming distinct literary genres under one descriptive paradigm. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of Aravind Adiga and Rohinton Mistry’s writings in the light of the theoretical concepts applied to it. The meanings, contested meanings of the different terms and theories: marginality, subalternity, dalitism, diaspora, expatriate and so on, relating to the works of the writers will be analysed. Another task of this study is to find out where Mistry and Adiga’s works can be situated among the realm of marginality and also to explore whether they truly represent the voice of the subaltern and to examine and explore how far the writings of the proposed authors reflect and represent the diasporic feelings and nuances.