Cultural Resistance in Bharati Mukherjee’sThe Tree Bride

Abstract

This research work aims to depict the resistance against western cultural imperialism in Bharati Mukerje’s The Tree Bride. The text is a story of Tara Chatterjee, the protagonist as well as the narrator of the novel. Tara Chatterjee lives in America but she is shaped according to ancient Indian myths, customs, traditions and she is highly influenced by the role of myths and legends on the formation of her cultural identity. She, in search of her cultural heritage, roots and identity comes back to India and writes a book about the historical legends of Mistigunj, Tara Lata (The Tree Bride). Through the story of Tara Lata, the protagonist uncovers the values of eastern cultures and rituals as well as challenges the western imperialism since Tara Lata was a freedom fighter during the India Independent Movement. Bharati Murkherjee tries to depict the resistance against the cultural imperialism of the west by evoking the history of ancient Bengal during the colonization in connection with focus on the legend of Independence like Tara Lata. The story of Tara Lata reflects the cultural and historical significance of the native Indians and Mukherjee brings the issue of the representation of her culture as her identity and resistance against the cultural imperialism of west.