Retrieval the History of Sati: Sacrifice and Triumph in Owenson’s The Missionary; An Indian Tale

Abstract

The present thesis entitled “Retrieval the History of Sati: Sacrifice and Triumph in Owenson’s The Missionary; An Indian Tale” retrieves the history of sati by taking the subject position. Owenson empowers her heroine, Luximato protest against injustice, colonial oppression of culture, and negative attitude towards Hindu culture by Westerner.Thematerial reality of sati silences the voice with a historical symbol of oppression of women,but in the novel,Luxima incites a long imminent Hindu uprising against colonial rule when she jumps upon a missionary Hilarion’s pyre.Luxima’s determination to commit satiis her own decision.Hilarion attempts to convert the Hindu belief into Christianity,but due to the consciousness of Hindu priestess and with herritual performance of Hinduism makes failure to achieve his mission. Luxima’s struggle to resist the cultural colonial mission with the performance of culture becomes a milestone to retrieve the history of sati in the transmission of Indian culture. Although Luxima has sacrificed her life for the preservation of Hinduism and National Identity, she triumphs in colonial mission of converting the Hindu religion into Christianity.