Scrutinizing Social and Psychological Conflict of Class Suppression in Kamala Markandaya’s A Handful of Rice

Abstract

A Handful of Rice by Kamala Markandaya’s is an exemplary novel that depicts class prejudices, rural urban migration, hunger and struggle for survival in the power conscious society. The present paper discusses the plight of poverty in urban locale through the protagonist Ravi who submits to the ways of society, suppressing his desire to raise his social status. The search for power and failure to attain it, results in social and psychological conflict. The paper mirrors social tension through the differences between the capitalists and the proletariats and psychological stress as a repercussion of dissatisfaction, frustration and suppression. The paper also analyses the East West encounter and the biased ideologies of the Westerners which generates inferiority complex among the Natives and prevents them to achieve their rightful status in the society. The novel imparts a sincere message for eradication of poverty just by giving a chance to the lower class to grab the opportunities available in the society and to treat them as human being.