Dynamics of Self : A Study of Select Novels of Anita Desai

Author(s)	Dr. Shalini Sharma
Country	India
Abstract	The research paper attempts to examine the search for meaningful life in the select novels of Anita Desai.Today's modern Indian woman seems to be in a similar situation as Desai has depicted in her novels. Desai's women show a heightened awareness of life in all its sordidness.A study of her novels reveals her persistent concern the theme of anxiety, anguish and psychological adaptation necessitated by threats to the individual's identity, and relation to reality. Many of Desai's characters find the real world too harsh, difficult, unpleasant and also too complex. There is intense questioning and the protagonists are torn between their search for authentic selfhood and the limitations of the human situation that prevent them from such realization. Her women characters desire to be recognized as women and equally important partners in marriage or any other relationship.Woman in all her novels needs freedom and justice to her personality and her individuality which the existing patriarchal setup with its uneven power division does not grant her.
Keywords	Self, Alienation, Patriarchy, Neurosis, Freedom
Field	Sociology > Linguistic / Literature
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-23
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.86500

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