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Showing us various aspects of society from politics, economics and culturethrough
forms like romance, tragedy and comedy is a common feature in literary works.
Before beginning the study, it is necessary to make clear what `social criticism'
is, as the term itself has a wide meaning. `Social' will be discussed in the sense, as
the Merriam-Webster dictionary puts it, "of or relating to human society, the interaction of
the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society".
This means that in a smaller sense, the term `social' concerns the way the individuals,
the characters of the novels, deal with each other, and, in a larger sense, how the society
is organized and how its institutions treat the individual and the group, which also
brings economic and political components into the scope of the study.
The present critique explores Adiga's sociological insight as he deals, in fictional
disguise, with the social structure and relationships, process of social change or the lack of it,
and various ills affecting our society. Liberty and equality are two major boons of
democracy which aims at the establishment of an egalitarian society. These two vital aspects
of human life are instrumental to sustainable development and Enlightenment.
But unfortunately there are innumerable evil forces that destroy human liberty and
equality. The evil force, which we call `corruption,' exists in countless forms. India is a 62-year
old democracy. Ridding itself of centuries of imperial captivity and foreign rule, the
Indian nation aspired for radical change under democracy. But it could not achieve its aspiration. |
