The present article aims at exploring how ‘Alienation’ and ‘hope’ in the fictional work of PreetiShenoy is the heart of the matter. The word, ‘hope’ provides a tiny ray of positive note that eliminates all obscurity and disenchantment. When alienation begets misery, parting, anguish and disintegration, hope gives an optimistic note and a spirit of life and joy. ‘Hope’ begets love for life. PreetiShenoy is popularly known for her treatment of the theme of motivation and inspiration. The title of Preeti Shenoy’s novel, Life is What You Make it connotes the idea of a life that is under one’s own control. Shenoy’sAnkita becomes physically and psychologically isolated due to her guilty consciousness. Though her physical and mental state pulls her towards death and decay, she ultimately triumphs over fate and destiny. The center of attention in this paper is the inner journey of alienation through powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, isolation, and self-estrangement. The present study focuses on the journey of these five steps of ‘alienation’ in the life of Ankita as well as this study develops the notion of optimism that protects Ankita’s life in Shenoy’s novel, Life is What You Make it.
Research Scholar, Department of English, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University (SKBU), Purulia, West Bengal
