HUMAN SELF AND STRUGGLE OF PROTAGONISTS IN GLORIA NAYLOR AND MANJU KAPUR

Abstract

The common experiences of our life become detrimental in knowing ‘the Better Self’ for oneself and for understanding others. This paper aims to study ‘the self’ in forming relations and in breaking the old age conventions. The role of memory and collective consciousness to identify the unique self with the common self makes the struggle of life easier and convenient. The protagonists in post-colonial period enjoyed the liberty but they are not completely free, as becomes evident through their interactions within the family and with the outside world. Manju Kapur’s protagonists reflect the modern outlook in their thoughts and behaviour but the human relations that they demand proves the eternal hollowness of the materialistic world outside. On the contrary, Gloria Naylor too, proves her feminist vision when she depicts the deep woes of the struggling women through sharing the experiences of the victimised women. Thus, both the writers have tried to identify with the common self that is somehow humanely and touching.