Middle class Indian society: transition from tradition to modernity in Kamala Markandaya’s novel a silence of desire

Abstract

Kamala Markandaya’s novel A Silence of Desire(1960), has tried to show a transition of middle class Indian society from tradition to modernity. In the process of very transition from tradition to modernity, the development of modern science and technology,globalization, urbanization, mass media play a significant role. The transition of middle class Indian society is basically represented by the major character of the novel, Sarojini. In the beginning of the novel, she seems to be a traditional type of woman. Being a traditional type of woman she worships Tulasi plant as a Goddess. Furthermore, she believes in the power of Swamiji and likes to be cured of womb tumor from him. But, in the passage of time her thinking of traditional values as all in all gets changed and makes herself ready to adopt the values of modernity. The very act of Sarojini comes into light through her successful operation of womb tumor in the hospital. On the other hand, Dandekar (husband of Sarojini) is a modern man and does not believe in the traditional act of Sarojini whereas Sarojini believes it as the integral part of her life. The very two different ideologies give birth to the conflict and the very conflict gives rise to the distortion in conjugal life. However, the very distorted conjugal life enters the phase of harmony and reconciliation through Sarojini’s acceptance to cope up with the values of modernity.