Dearth of Spirituality in the Protagonists of the Select Novels of Upamanyu Chatterjee

Abstract

This study examines the spiritual and ethical fall of man in English, August: An Indian Story, The Last Burden, and Weight Loss of Upamanyu Chatterjee. It aims at the modern man’s shallow mindedness, his meagre understanding of life, vague expression of achievement and success. The protagonists of the novels, Agastya or August, Jamun and Bhola’s plight and turbulence as modern men in terms of lack of spirituality and morals and principles is the focus of the novels. They are the definition of success for the society or for the people around them in today’s rat race. They are the main focus of the novel. August’s weakness about addiction to life killing drugs, women and wavering about having a family and spiritual strength, Jamun’s commitment phobia and Bhola’s perversion are portrayed brilliantly by Chatterjee. Chatterjee’s heroes represent the Indian youth who are alienated from their own culture and roots. The psychological, cultural, political impact on the young generation and the dilemma of the people who were unable to come out of colonial rule mentally, are the major expressions of this novel. They are half Indian and half western, rootless and frustrated.