Seeking Identity in the Works of Ananda Devi Cover Image

La quête identitaire dans l’œuvre romanesque d’Ananda Devi
Seeking Identity in the Works of Ananda Devi

Author(s): Anna Szkonter-Bochniak
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, French Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Ananda Devi; francophone novel; woman; identity; freedom; violation of social; religious and moral norms

Summary/Abstract: This article examines three novels by Ananda Devi, a well-known francophone novelist from Mauritius, the author of many novels, short stories and poetry books. In her novels, the author portrays the lives of women, the roles and norms that have been imposed on them, as well as their place in the conservative and patriarchal society in Mauritius and in India. The protagonists of “Pagli”, “Le Voile de Draupadi” and “Indian tango”, whilst searching for their identity, rebel against the society, their families and religion which marginalise them and deny their right to make decisions about their own lives. The protagonists of Devi’s novels by objecting to such a lifestyle, by violating the social norms and breaching bans, discover their identity. Pagli symbolically rediscovers her true name, Anjali freedom and Subhadra her body/sexuality.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 197-216
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: French