Sociological and Psychological Perspectives in the Select Works of Githa Hariharan

Abstract

The present research entitled Sociological and Psychological Perspectives in the Select works of Githa Hariharan, is an attempt to analyse Hariharan’s first novel The Thousand Faces of Night (1992), which highlights the survival strategies of women belonging to three different generations and The Art of Dying and Other Short Stories whichpenetrates into the contemporary Indian life. Sociology and psychology are closely related to each other. Both are interrelated and inter-dependent. This research takes into consideration two significant approaches, namely, the sociological and the psychological approaches. Divided into five chapters, the thesis analyses Githa Hariharan’s novel The Thousand Faces of Night and short story collection The Art of Dying and Other storiesand focuses specially on the various aspects, from individual to society .Chapter I IntroductionThe first chapter “Introduction” traces the origin and development of the terms sociology and psychology. It also traces the history of Indian writing in English with focus on Indian writers in English and their untiring efforts. The last quarter of the twentieth century witnessed the emergence of a large number of women writers in Indian writing in English who have attracted a great deal of favourable comments. A short note is given to show the relation between the short story and the novel. As the focus of the research is on Githa Hariharan, an attempt is made to draw out in detail the biographical features of the writer and outline of all her works with emphasis on the social background that has found a place in his works taken up for study. An introduction to all the chapters is presented in this first chapter “Introduction” It enlists the objectives of the present study and the reviews. Chapter II Resocialization in Contemporary Indian SocietyKeeping the contemporary scenario of Indian life as the background the present study goes on to explain the perspectives of resocialization in Indian society. It is indeed remarkable that we get a true to life picture of society in Githa Hariharan’s The Art of Dying and Other Stories. Yet, each story is different from the other in terms of pattern and theme. Hariharan wanted to make mankind aware of the evils or anti-human aspects such as child labour, widow’s suffering, abuse of women and children, teenage problems, job stress, family and death which are the main issues in her short stories.Chapter III An Existential CrisisThe third chapter deals with an existential crisis in Hariharan’s The Thousand Faces of Night.The present study examines some of the major characters of the novel TheThousand Faces of Night. We find the tempest or tide of psychological and social problems pervading them from top to bottom. This is a novel of three women Sita, Devi and Mayamma. They represent three different generations and more than thousand faces of women in India who still have no better existence than night. All the three main female characters progressing to delimiting restrictions through self analysis and self discovery, try to create both physical as well as psychological space for themselves to grow on their own. The inner conscience of the Indian psyche and the social relations are based on the traditional image of ideal womanhood even in the changed context. They rebel against the dictates of their domestic duties and social sanctions, challenge male devised orthodoxies about women’s nature, capacities and roles and existential insecurity. Hariharan attempts to project the large society as a whole through her characters of three different generations. Her novel mainly delineates the awakening of woman’s consciousness which impels her to strive for self-actualization. Chapter IV Myth and TraditionThe fourth chapter envisions myth and tradition. Githa Hariharan presents myths in a new dimension to the present scenario. Stories from Indian epics The Ramayana and The Mahabharata provide a scaffolding to the main storyline of the novel. Hariharan’s work, as a thread of re-visionist myth-making helps us to know the wounds of one's soul, as a process of networking among women. The women of different ages and generations try an attempt at renewing the whole community of women through representation of myths. A myth has at its core a timeless, eternal quality. Devi says that her grandmother fed the stories with her bony fingers, just as she fed the medicinal potions she brewed when she was ill. Hariharan portrays Indian myths which are forgotten in the current trend of globalization and liberalization.Chapter V SummationThe concluding chapter recapitulates the uniqueness of Githa Hariharan’s selected short stories and novel. It sums up the analysis of various aspects mentioned in the previous chapters. She has powerfully employed the universal themes through individuals and society. It directs and focuses our attention on those who are silently suffering and try to become successful. Each and every story and character is woven with everlasting confidence and internal strength. Suggestions for further research are also enlisted