Anita Desai\u27s Fasting, Feasting and the Condition of Women

摘要

In her article \u22Anita Desai\u27s Fasting, Feasting and the Condition of Women\u22 Ludmila Volná presents a critical culture-based reading of Desai\u27s novel Fasting, Feasting, a work that deals with the condition of women (not only) in India. Volná analyzes both female and the male sensitivities in the novel where Desai makes use of a double symbolic of food expressed throughout the novel by (not only literal) hunger. In Volná\u27s view, Desai\u27s Hindu imagery of sun/fire as patriarchal power and water, which, as the counterpart of the sun and fire, represents recognition of women’s condition and a possible way to liberation represent crucial aspects of the novel. Volná analyzes the metaphorical voyage towards progress of the Indian Hindu girl/woman Uma, the main character of the novel, with respect to sun/fire milestones, as well as those of water and as related to persons who accompany her. As Volná argues, Uma at the end achieves recognition of her condition although not full liberation. Further, a parallel pilgrimage of Arun, also through the countryside of sun, fire, and water, is analyzed through Arun\u27s recognition of the suffering of both American women/girls and of his sister Uma. Volná concludes that it is only through the synthesis of both female and male recognition and effort can women be released from the oppressive conditions of patriarchy.