Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia
Revisiting mythological teachings of India in Arun Joshi's 'The Last Labyrinth'
Keywords:
Hindu, impact, life, mythology, philosophy, traditionAbstract
The paper in consideration talks about the impact of Indian philosophy in The Last Labyrinth. The paper opens various avenues on which the novel draws inspiration from the Indian Upanishadic traditions and how the actions of the characters reflect the influence of Indian Mythological Legends. The paper throws light upon the prevalent themes of Hindu Dharmic traditions that became the base for action in the novel. Having studied the life and actions of the characters like Som Bhaskar, Anuradha, Aftab, Mansoor, Amzad; the paper explores the relationship between their acts and the underlying Upanishadic implications. The paper also explores the role of an omniscient narrator who sets the tone for the action of the novel. The power further talks about Joshi’s Hindu psyche that was prevalent all along the novel through the actions of his characters like Bhaskar’s performing last rites of his father, names of the places like Haridwar, and reference to Hindu gods like Som Bhaskar’s mother’s prayers to Krishna. The paper shows how the personalities in the novel are not only characters but the personality types and how important was the conception of God.Hindu
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