FROM AN UGLY DUCKLING TO A SWAN: THE BRITISH INFLUENCE ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE CASTE SYSTEM AND REVOLT IN INDIA AS REFLECTED BY PHOOLAN DEVI & ARUNDAT Cover Image

ÇIRKIN ÖRDEKTEN KUĞUYA: PHOOLAN DEVI VE ARUNDATHI ROY TARAFINDAN YANSITILAN HINDISTAN’DAKI KAST SISTEMI VE TEPKI GELIŞTIRMEDE İNGILIZ ETKISI
FROM AN UGLY DUCKLING TO A SWAN: THE BRITISH INFLUENCE ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE CASTE SYSTEM AND REVOLT IN INDIA AS REFLECTED BY PHOOLAN DEVI & ARUNDAT

Author(s): N. Sibel Güzel, Eda Burcu ÇETİNKAYA
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü
Keywords: Caste; revolt; postcolonial literature; Arundhati Roy; Mala Sen; Phoolan Devi

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to examine Arundhati Roy’s “The God of Small Things” and Mala Sen’s “India’s Bandit Queen” in terms of developing an understanding about the evolution of caste system in India and the role of British influence throughout this evolution process. First of all, an overview of the caste system in India is presented. Roy’s “The God of Small Things” and Sen’s work, in other words, the biography of Phoolan Devi are implemented to illustrate the instances of caste system in India. An undeniable contradiction emerges in behavioural norms due to the different expectancies from the present system. The changing behaviours of the characters against the traditional caste system which lead to a certain revolt, are associated with the role of the British influence in the article. The outcome of British influence for individuals in Indian society is described based on Phoolan Devi and the major characters in “The God of Small Things”.

  • Issue Year: 10/2012
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 274-287
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English