Clash between tradition and modernity in Mulk Raj Anand's novel The Big Heart

Abstract

Mulk Raj Anand's novel The Big Heart (1945) has tried to probe the clash between tradition and modernity in art, culture, religion and day- to- day life of poor people in Punjab, India during colonial period due to rapid European inventions in this traditional part of the Eastern world. This research is related to colonialism and its effects in a certain place of India. English colonizers have brought machines with them. In order to develop India, modern industries displace jobs and arts of the poor Indian people. Even their religion is threatened. Ananta is Anand's spokesperson. All thathiars, businessmen and leaders are the victims of Westernization. Machine represents the modernity which substituts traditional arts and renders the artists/workers jobless. Anand shows the usefulness and importance of industralization. His novel is in the favour of modernity. He presents many people are jobless since thay are uneducated, untrained and narrow-minded. They fight not against their weakness but the modern inventions. This leads quarrel in the society between the people who support the modernity and who reject it. Therefore, this research deals with Anand's modern perspective towards his homeland.