Quest for Identity in Anand's Untouchable

Abstract

My study in Anand'sUntouchableis to show the quest for identity of the main protagonist Bakha. In quest of establishing a new identity he has faced many ups and downs. In the novel, Bakha has been victimized by the high caste Hindus. The prevailing caste system and social discrimination has become a great challenge in the sense of brotherhood. People discriminate people in the name of caste and bring unnecessary division among them. So a sense of humanity is lost and feelings of fragmentation and alienation arise. The lower class people have to endure untold sufferings in their life. They have to face severe punishment if they break the law made by the upper caste people. They are biased in many sectors. In this sense, they think that their identity islost. This very fact is well realized by Bakha. That's why he wants to preserve his identity. His different efforts show this very fact. His rebellious nature of challenging the traditional rules by entering the temples proves his internal desire to establish his new identity. Further, he imitates the fashion of the Tommies to be like a sahib. He thinks sahib is a superior man in the society and by becoming a sahib he will garner respect. In another context he wants to change his profession because he thinks his present profession is the main cause of social discrimination and hatred. Observing all such activities of Bakha, we can say that he has trouble accepting the identity allotted to him at birth. He is desperately trying to escape the connotation of the title of the novel asserts over his identity. Rather, he is in quest for a new identity.