Alienation in Kamala Markandaya's A Handful of Rice : A Marxist Reading

Abstract

Exposing the alienated labor Kamala Markandaya’sA Handful of Ricemakes clear the theme of human alienation and pain and suffering under capitalism. Markandaya textualizes the alienation of human being through the protagonist Ravi who representsthe whole society since his existence is possible only in social interactions. He does not enjoy a privilege human position and dignity in exploitative capitalistic society. His unpleasant behavior even with his own family members like wife, son and fatherand his resort to drink is proved as the degrading effects of capitalism upon the working class people. Besides, Ravi’s desire to throw a stone to the crowd shows the possibility of revolution against capitalism which will emancipate human beings from labor alienation.