Indian English Literature (IEL) refers to a specific body of works written by the Indian writers in English. Some of the predominant figures of this genre are R.K Narayan, Raja Rao, and Tagore. Modernism in Indian English Literature is primarily characterized by individualism, experimentation, absurdity, symbolism, and formalism. It can be deciphered that R.K Narayan attempted to present a diverse range of works to his readers across the globe. For instance, his novel The Guide which tends to be a reflection of the entire oeuvre of narratives structured under the frame of Modern Indian English Literature. The characters in the novel seem to be Indian not only by representation, but by real configuration too. They can be seen struggling for a living, often deprived of an agency to speak, and often harassed by certain oppressive societal constructs. Moreover, alienation is another significant characteristic of IEL and it seems to be a prominent issue in the livelihood of almost every character in the aforementioned novel. This research paper attempts to analyse the contrast between the elements of modernism and tradition through a feminist lens and this study will specifically focus on the character of Rosie as represented in the selected novel The Guide. This paper will also study the key concepts of alienation, symbolism, and individualism while examining the grounds of certain instances in the select text.
Research Scholar, Department of English, Dibrugarh University, Assam
