Fasting, Feasting and Human Suffering Essay Example

Fasting, Feasting and Human Suffering Essay Anita Desai’s Fasting, Feasting provides an insight into a traditional Indian family in India. The novel describes the plight of passive characters like Uma, Anamika, Melanie and Arun who are controlled by the social and historical forces of the society they live in. The title, Fasting, Feasting are opposites, depicting extremity in settings, situations and culture, yet they are marked by distinct similarities. Women suffer on account of their gender, while men, especially boys suffer due to patriarchal expectations of securing a good job for a better future. Oppressed characters find means of happiness from their suffering with a positive attitude and hope for an escape. The discussions would unfold in two parts, with the first part discussing on the metaphor of the title in regards to human suffering and its implications while the second part would focus on inner personality traits of Uma, the female protagonist, that prevents her from being envious of her siblings, who are more privileged then her. The first part of the novel, Fasting is set in India, where the female protagonist Uma, the eldest of the three siblings find herself starved for opportunities in education and career. It has been claimed that â€Å"Uma suffers existential absurdity, dilemmas and loss of communications that puts her in a state of helplessness† (Poon 2006. Accessed 17 March 2015). Her starvation becomes evident in the story when a son (Arun) is born and Uma is forced to leave school to look after him. â€Å"We are not sending you back to school Uma. You are to stay at home to help with Arun† (Desai, 1999: 18). Uma’s protestations fell on deaf ears from both MamaPapa and Mother Agnes who agreed that girls need to learn domesticity (pg. 28) and thus she was deprived of education. Uma also lost a chance for a career when Dr Dutt’s offer for a job was declined by her parents. The only opportunity for Uma to mark her identity and have a career was bulldozed We will write a custom essay sample on Fasting, Feasting and Human Suffering specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Fasting, Feasting and Human Suffering specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Fasting, Feasting and Human Suffering specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer