Objective:
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the evolving concept of Indianness as depicted
in contemporary Indian literature. Through a comparative study of Low and English, August, the
research aims to:
● Examine how these novels portray the complexities of postcolonial Indian identity.
● Investigate the role of language, alienation, and urbanization in shaping national
consciousness.
● Identify the ways in which these works critique fixed notions of Indianness and offer new
perspectives on cultural hybridity and globalization.
Methodology:
This study adopts a qualitative, comparative literary analysis approach. The methodology
involves:
● Close reading of Low and English, August to examine thematic concerns and narrative
techniques.
● Application of postcolonial theoretical frameworks, particularly Homi K. Bhabha’s
hybridity and mimicry, and Benedict Anderson’s imagined communities.
● Analysis of linguistic structures and cultural symbols in both texts to understand their
commentary on Indian identity.
● Contextual examination of contemporary issues, including globalization, migration, and
mental health, to draw parallels between fiction and reality.
Key Themes and Comparative Analysis:
1. Alienation and Identity Crisis:
In English, August, Agastya Sen, an elite bureaucrat posted in rural India, grapples with
an existential crisis. His alienation stems from the disconnect between his Westernized
upbringing and the expectations of his bureaucratic role. His ironic detachment and
constant yearning for urban spaces highlight his struggle with belonging.
Conversely, Low presents Dominic Ullis, who spirals into a drug-fueled odyssey across
Bombay, mourning the loss of his wife. His disorientation is not just social but deeply
psychological, representing a postmodern crisis where identity is fragmented beyond
repair.
Contemporary Connection: The growing mental health crisis among India’s urban
youth, exacerbated by societal pressures and globalization, reflects the themes of
alienation in these novels.
2. Language as a Marker of Identity:
Language serves as a critical site of negotiation for identity in both novels. In English,
August, Agastya’s preference for English over Hindi signifies the colonial hangover still
present among Indian elites. His linguistic detachment from the rural population
underscores the class and cultural divides shaped by colonial education policies.
In Low, language takes on a cosmopolitan character. Dominic’s speech patterns
incorporate English, slang, and fragmented expressions, reflecting the transnational and
globalized nature of modern Indian identity.
Contemporary Connection: The debate over linguistic identity in India, particularly the
resistance to Hindi imposition in non-Hindi-speaking states, mirrors Agastya’s struggles
and highlights the persisting colonial and regional tensions in Indian society.
3. Urban vs. Rural Experiences:
In English, August, the contrast between urban aspirations and rural realities is central to
Agastya’s disillusionment. His posting in Madna, a stagnant rural town, exposes him to
the inefficiencies of the Indian bureaucracy and the alienation of Western-educated
elites in provincial settings.
In Low, Bombay is depicted as a fast-paced, chaotic metropolis where identity is in flux.
The city is both a place of escape and entrapment for Dominic, symbolizing the
transient, fragmented nature of contemporary urban existence.
Contemporary Connection: The rural-to-urban migration crisis in India, where many
leave their villages for better economic opportunities but struggle with urban alienation,
reflects the tensions explored in these novels.
4. Colonial Legacies and New Indianness:
English, August critiques India’s colonial bureaucratic structures, as Agastya’s role in the
Indian Administrative Service forces him into a system that still operates on outdated
colonial principles. His struggle highlights how colonial institutions continue to define
Indian governance and identity.
Low moves beyond colonial critiques and focuses on globalization as the new force
shaping identity. Dominic’s detachment and disillusionment arise not from colonial
remnants but from an urban culture deeply influenced by Western consumerism and
individualism.
Contemporary Connection: The continued presence of colonial-era laws, such as
sedition laws, and debates over corporate work culture’s Western influence in India
demonstrate how colonial legacies and globalization coexist in shaping Indian identity
today.
Limitations:
While this study offers valuable insights, it is not without limitations:
● The analysis is limited to two novels and does not encompass the entire spectrum of
Indian literary narratives on identity.
● The study focuses on male protagonists, leaving scope for further research on how
female and non-binary perspectives engage with similar themes.
● The research primarily engages with urban experiences of alienation, which may not
fully capture rural or indigenous perspectives on Indianness.
Discussion:
The analysis highlights the complexities of modern Indian identity and its entanglement with
historical and contemporary forces. The key discussion points include:
● The extent to which Indian identity remains shaped by colonial structures versus new
global influences.
● How literature functions as a site of resistance and reimagination of Indianness.
● The role of language in sustaining social hierarchies and power dynamics in
contemporary India.
● The increasing relevance of mental health themes in literature as a reflection of real-
world urban alienation.
Conclusion:
Through this comparative analysis, it is evident that English, August and Low both deconstruct
and redefine Indian identity. Agastya’s struggle reflects a postcolonial conflict between tradition
and modernity, while Dominic’s journey represents the disoriented self in a hyper-globalized
world.
By engaging with these novels, we can better understand how literature critiques and
reconfigures Indianness, offering new perspectives on identity in a rapidly evolving world.
Closing:
Thank you for your time. I look forward to any questions and discussions on this topic.
