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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
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Paper ID:
IJSREM66474
Volume:
10 |
8 |
Aug 2026
Pages:
1-4
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Department Of English
Sri K Puttaswamy First Grade College, Mysuru
R.K. Narayan's The Vendor of Sweets (1967) occupies a significant position in Indian English literature as a profound exploration of social transformation in post-independence India. The novel examines the tensions between traditional Indian values and emerging modern aspirations through the experiences of its central characters—Jagan, Mali, and Grace. This paper investigates how Narayan employs characterization to depict the cultural, psychological, and ideological conflicts arising from rapid modernization. While previous studies have largely focused on the father-son conflict between Jagan and Mali, the present study argues that the novel offers a broader commentary on identity formation in a society negotiating the competing demands of tradition and modernity. Through textual analysis and a postcolonial interpretative framework, this paper demonstrates that the characters embody distinct responses to cultural transition. The study concludes that Narayan advocates neither complete adherence to tradition nor unconditional acceptance of modernity but emphasizes balance, adaptability, and self-awareness as essential for individual and societal harmony.
KEYWORDS
The Vendor of Sweets is far more than a story of family conflict. Through the characters of Jagan, Mali, and Grace, R.K. Narayan offers a sophisticated exploration of identity, cultural transition, and social change in post-independence India. Jagan represents the strengths and limitations of tradition; Mali embodies the aspirations and uncertainties of modernity; Grace demonstrates the possibility of cultural dialogue and adaptation. Together, these characters reveal the complexities of negotiating identity in a rapidly changing world. Narayan avoids simplistic solutions. He neither glorifies tradition nor celebrates modernity uncritically. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of balance, understanding, and self-awareness. The novel remains relevant today because contemporary societies continue to confront similar questions concerning globalization, cultural heritage, and personal identity.
Iyengar, K. R. Srinivasa. Indian Writing in English. Sterling Publishers, 2019. Naik, M. K. A History of Indian English Literature. Sahitya Akademi, 2016. Narayan, R. K. The Vendor of Sweets. Indian Thought Publications, 2014. Prasad, Amar Nath. Indian English Novelists and World Literature. Sarup & Sons, 2006. Rao, A. Nageswara. R.K. Narayan: A Critical Study of His Works. Atlantic Publishers, 2001. Walsh, William. R.K. Narayan: A Critical Appreciation. Allied Publishers, 1983.
Publication Date
8/3/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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