Volume : 8, Issue : 12, DEC 2022

THE THEMES OF ALIENATION AND ISOLATION IN ANITA DESAI'S NOVEL CRY, THE PEACOCK

DR RAM KUMAR

Abstract

Anita Desai's novel Cry, the Peacock is a poignant portrayal of the themes of alienation and isolation experienced by the protagonist Maya. The novel is set in post-independence India and follows the life of Maya, a young woman who is trapped in an unhappy marriage with Gautama, a successful lawyer. Maya is an introverted and sensitive character who is unable to connect with her husband, who is engrossed in his professional life and has no time for her.

Maya's feeling of alienation is further compounded by her belief in superstition and her premonition of her own death. She believes that she will die young and is haunted by visions of her own funeral. This leads her to become increasingly isolated from the people around her, as she withdraws into her own thoughts and fantasies.

Through the character of Maya, Desai explores the theme of alienation, highlighting the consequences of social isolation on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. The novel depicts how Maya's inability to connect with her husband and society around her leads to her mental breakdown, culminating in her tragic end.

Desai's exploration of the theme of isolation is also evident in her portrayal of Maya's physical isolation from her surroundings. Maya is confined to her house and is cut off from the world outside, further highlighting her sense of detachment from society. Maya's isolation is also depicted through her inability to communicate her innermost thoughts and feelings to others, leading to a sense of loneliness and despair.

Overall, Cry, the Peacock is a haunting portrayal of the themes of alienation and isolation, highlighting the consequences of social isolation on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. The novel explores the complexities of the human psyche and serves as a commentary on the human condition, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the need for meaningful relationships.

Keywords

ALIENATION, FRUSTRATION, ISOLATION, LOSS OF FEAR, LOSS OF IDENTITY.

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References

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