TERM PAPER 1

Book Review

Term paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the

degree of Bachelors in Applied Psychology.

Submitted By:
Maheen Aroze
BA (Hons) Applied
Psychology A7406923065
Semester
III AIBAS

Under the guidance of:

Dr Madhu
Pandey Assistant
Professor
Amity Institute of Behavioral and Allied Sciences

2023-2026
Amity Institute of Behavioral and Allied Sciences
Amity University Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow Campus
 DECLARATION

I, Maheen Aroze, present the report "TERM PAPER - 1" to the Amity Institute of Behavioral and
Allied Sciences (AIBAS) at the Amity University Lucknow Campus. This submission fulfills a
portion of the criteria needed to get an applied psychology BA (Honors) degree.

Maheen Aroze
A7406923065
BA (Hons) Applied
Psychology Semester III
2023-2026
AIBAS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Madhu Pandey for her able
guidance and support in completing this project. Her insightful feedback,
encouragement and constructive criticism were instrumental in shaping quality of my
work. I am also deeply thankful to Dr. Chhaya Gupta and Ms. Reetika Pal for their
support and encouragement throughout the project.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the head of department Professor S Z.H
Zaidi for providing me with this opportunity to pursue my interest.

Maheen Aroze
A7406923065
Semester III
BA (Hons) Applied
Psychology 2023-2026
AIBAS
CONTENTS

S.no. Title Page no.

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Detailed Analysis

4. Conclusion
ABSTRATCT

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth is a sprawling novel set in the aftermath of India's
independence. It interweaves the lives of four extended families over 18 months and
focuses on the protagonist, Lata Mehra, and her quest to find a suitable husband. In
a newly independent country, themes of love, politics, tradition, and social change
are explored in this narrative. The novel provides an extensive portrait of the
country in a crucial state, with its rich character development and comprehensive
depiction of Indian life.
INTRODUCTION

A SUITABLE BOY

- BY VIKRAM SETH

"A Suitable Boy" is a novel in the genres of historical fiction and romance. It was
published by Harper Collins in the US, Phoenix House in the UK, and Little Brown
in Canada in May 1993. The target audience for "A Suitable Boy" includes readers
who are interested in historical fiction, particularly those fascinated by post-
independence India. The novel has been honored with the WH Smith Literary Award
and the Commonwealth Writers Prize.
DETAILED ANALYSIS

This book has 19 parts and 1,500 pages that discuss a complex love story .

Part 1 to 5 The first five chapters introduce the Mehra family during Savita Mehra's
wedding in Brahmpur. Lata Mehra who is 19 year old is under pressure from her
mother, Mrs. Rupa Mehra, to find a suitable husband. Lata's experiences at
Brahmpur University and her interactions with a new understanding set the stage for
her personal journey.

Part 6 to 10 - Meanwhile, Lata, at university finds herself continually running into

the same young man at the library, at her exam, and at a music recital who she learns
is named Kabir, each time learning a little more about him. Her intrigue building, she
asks her best friend Malati to find out more about him. Just when Lata thinks she
might be falling for Kabir, Malati returns with the bad news that Kabir is a Muslim,
and would never be accepted by her Hindu family, best to forget about him.

Part 11 to 15 - Lata’s relationship with Kabir strains her bond with her mother,
leading to a fierce argument and her mother’s attempt to separate them. Meanwhile ,
Lata’s mother introduces Haresh Khanna, a shoemaker, as a potential suitor for Lata.
This adds another layer of complexity to Lata's choices, as she is already entangled
with Kabir Durrani and Amit Chatterjee, while her mother tries to influence her
decision.

Part 16 to 19 - Lata has to choose between three very different suitors: Kabir, a
sensitive scholar; Amit, a cynical poet; and Haresh, a stylish shoemaker. She needs
to decide what she truly wants and what she is willing to give up for a happy
future.

As the saga concludes, Lata Mehra finally makes her decision that she will not
marry Kabir. Instead, she marries another “suitable boy” someone who is good
enough, but not someone she’s in love with. In the background of Lata's marital
decision is the foreground for the rest of the world politics. There is a great
controversy throughout the country when a Mosque is to be built near a Hindu holy
site and political movements for the Untouchable rights and the Zamindar System.
CONCLUSION

In the novel Lata and Maan grapple with their identities and personal desires amid
societal expectations. The novel explores various forms of love, including romantic,
familial, and obsessive connections, revealing how these relationships shape
characters' lives. Societal pressure and the need to conform impact their mental well-
being and decisions. Both inner and outer conflicts drive character development and
self-improvement. The intricate family dynamics highlight themes of loyalty,
rivalry, and generational contrasts, while cultural and religious influences
profoundly affect characters' choices and interactions, reflecting the broader socio-
political context of post-independence India.