Historical Context

Colonization and Independence of India

India was under British colonial rule for nearly a century, from 1858 to 1947. During this period, the expansion of British power often clashed with movements, protests, rebellions, and acts of resistance by the Indian people. Before 1858, the East India Company governed India, but that power was handed over to the British crown in 1858. In 1876, Queen Victoria was given the title of Empress of India. Indian resistance against European colonization occurred intermittently throughout this era, but the first nationally coordinated effort for independence emerged in 1885 with the formation of the Indian National Congress. Despite this, Britain continued to extend its influence, capturing Burma in 1886 and adding it to its Indian territories. In 1906, the British introduced reforms purportedly to increase Indian political involvement. When World War I began in 1914, many Indians joined the British forces, hoping their wartime loyalty would lead to greater self-governance. However, when these hopes were dashed post-war, it fueled more protests. Throughout the interwar years, the Indian National Congress, inspired by Gandhi’s leadership, persisted in resisting British rule. Finally, in 1947, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, granting India self-governance.

Bengal

Desai's father was of Bengali descent. The Bengal region, predominantly Muslim compared to the largely Hindu population of India, was split into two provinces by the British in 1905, disregarding the Bengali national identity. Previously active in resisting British rule, the partition of Bengal led to large-scale protests. Between 1908 and 1910, the conflicts between Bengali resistance groups and the British government’s oppressive actions were particularly intense. In 1911, Bengal was reunited, and the British capital of India was moved from Calcutta (in Bengal) to Delhi.

Religions in India

In Desai's narrative, it is likely that Suno comes from a Hindu family, as he observes the young woman on the park bench is Muslim. The primary religions in India are Islam and Hinduism. During the protests against British rule, especially in the interwar years, Indians were divided in their political objectives along religious lines. Gandhi endeavored to unite Hindus and Muslims in the struggle for independence, but his efforts ultimately fell short. Consequently, when the British relinquished control in 1947, India was partitioned into two nations—Pakistan was designated as Muslim, while India, known as the Republic of India, was predominantly Hindu. However, the implementation of this division was marred by violent civil conflicts between Hindus and Muslims.

Languages of India

Following India's attainment of independence in 1947, the country officially acknowledged 14 distinct languages and dialects nationwide, while continuing to use English for governmental affairs. Hindi was designated as the national language. Although English is not the native language for most Indians, numerous authors opt to write in it. Desai, for example, has always composed her works in English, as she was taught to write in this language during her schooling. However, some Indian writers and scholars contend that authentic Indian literature should be penned in a native Indian language.

Education in India

A significant aspect of the Indian resistance to British rule involved demands for various reforms and enhancements in education, particularly advocating for a national education system. Gandhi's call to boycott British goods eventually extended to British educational institutions. During this era, independent Indian schools were founded, but they were swiftly dismantled by government actions against the movement. Gandhi also championed the expansion of educational opportunities for girls, encouraging women to organize public demonstrations on this issue. In the years following independence, the government has implemented several educational reforms, with substantial changes introduced in 1968 and again in 1986.

Literary Style

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Narrative Point of View

This narrative is conveyed through the first-person perspective, meaning the narrator is a...

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character within the story whose understanding is limited to their own viewpoint. The narrator, Suno, is a young man struggling with his family dynamics. Suno's first-person account is crucial to the plot as it delves into his internal thoughts about the pressures his family exerts on him to prepare for an exam and the distractions they create, hindering his ability to concentrate. Since the story revolves around Suno's personal transformation following a "vision" he experiences in the park, his internal monologue offers insight into his inner conflicts and newfound sense of life's purpose.

Stream-of-Consciousness Narration

A hallmark of Desai's writing is the stream-of-consciousness internal monologue used by her main characters. This narrative style attempts to capture the continuous flow of thoughts in a person's mind, often resulting in a seemingly chaotic mix of ideas and images. Suno's stream-of-consciousness narrative is woven throughout the story, starting with the first line: "Turn it off, turn it off, turn it off!" It soon becomes evident that Suno is not verbally demanding his father turn off the radio, but rather thinking this in frustration and irritation. As he lists the six languages his father tunes into for the radio news, Suno's thoughts continue in this stream-of-consciousness manner: "What next, my god, what next? Turn it off before I smash it onto his head, fling it out of the window..." Yet, Suno would never overtly express such anger toward his father, so the thoughts that immediately follow these violent imaginings serve as a self-reminder to restrain himself: "... do nothing of the sort of course, nothing of the sort." By expressing both his rage and his attempts to calm down within a single sentence, the reader gains a sense of the urgency and frustration that reflect Suno's internal condition. This narrative style reoccurs throughout the story to depict Suno's mental state.

Setting

The setting is a crucial component of this narrative, taking place in India, which is a common backdrop for Desai's stories. The story unfolds in two main locations: Suno's house and the park where he studies. These places have contrasting impacts on Suno. His home is filled with noise, annoyance, and constant interruptions from his family. When he's not being urged by family members to "study, study, study," various household noises disrupt his concentration. In contrast, the park, although still reminding him of his impending exam, provides a refuge from his family's intrusive presence. Symbolically, his home embodies the societal and familial pressures for Suno to meet expectations, like achieving top marks in his exam. The park, however, symbolizes a place where Suno experiences "life" and gains a sense of "freedom" from these pressures, especially the compulsion to study for the exam.

Tone

The tone of a narrative can shift throughout a story. In this story, Suno's internal dialogue about his family while trying to study in his room is notably sarcastic, adding a layer of humor. Although Suno is utterly frustrated with his family, his depictions of their actions are so exaggerated that they verge on satire. Early in the story, he describes the hissing of his mother's cooking in the kitchen as a major annoyance while he attempts to prepare for his exam. What starts as a description quickly turns into fanciful sarcasm and hyperbole: "What all does she fry and feed us on, for God's sake? Eggplants, potatoes, spinach, shoe soles, newspapers, finally she'll slice me and feed me to my brothers and sisters." Suno's sarcastic and exaggerated portrayals of these sounds add a comedic element.

Literary Heritage

Desai is a prominent figure among Anglo-Indian fiction writers of the 20th century. The term Anglo-Indian includes Indian authors who pen their works in English rather than in Hindi or any of India's regional languages. The first Anglo-Indian novel, Rajmohan's Wife, was authored by Chandra Chatterjee, and Bankim Chandra was the first modern Indian novelist. According to R.K. Dhawan, "The Indian English novelist until the thirties wrote for a readership largely Indian and unmistakably nationalist." Writing in 1989, Dhawan notes that "The Indian English fiction in post-Independent India has assumed over the preceding thirty years all kinds of colorful traditions. It is now free from the social and political overtones of a rabidly nationalistic variety." Dhawan concludes that "The Indian English novel has enjoyed its golden period during the last few decades." Desai stands out as the most widely recognized contemporary female Indian novelist, sharing this distinction with Kamala Markandaya, Ruth Jhabvala, and Nayantara Sahgail.

Compare and Contrast

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Mid-Nineteenth to Mid-Twentieth Century: From 1858 to 1947, India is a British colony.

Late Twentieth Century: In 1947, India gains independence and becomes the Republic of India. Pakistan is also established as an independent nation.

Mid-Nineteenth to Mid-Twentieth Century: By 1947, the newly established Republic of India officially acknowledges 14 Indian languages and dialects, along with English.

Late Twentieth Century: The Republic of India now officially recognizes 18 Indian languages and dialects, in addition to English.

Early Twentieth Century: During the pre-independence period, there is virtually no significant collection of Indian literature in English, referred to as Anglo-Indian literature.

Late Twentieth Century: A significant body of Anglo-Indian literature begins to emerge in the 1950s and continues to grow.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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Sources

Bande, Usha, The Novels of Anita Desai: A Study in Character and Conflict, Prestige Books, 1988, p. 11.

Dhawan, R. K., The Fiction of Anita Desai, Bahri Publications, 1989, pp. 10-15.

Jena, Seema, Voice and Vision of Anita Desai, Ashish Publishing House, 1989, pp. 9, 11.

Ramachandra, Rao B., The Novels of Anita Desai, Kalyani Publishers, 1977, pp. 7-8, 62.

Ramachandra, Rao B., "Themes and Variations in the Novels and Short Stories of Anita Desai," in Journal of Literature and Aesthetics, Vol. 2, Nos. 2-3, April-July, 1982, pp. 74-79.

Sharma, R. S., Anita Desai, Arnold-Heinemann, 1981, pp. 5, 149-150, 165-166.