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ABOUT THE BOOK
Common to humans is their ability to respond to relationships and situations. However, each response differs from person to person even when the situations remain constant. The highlighting factors which govern a reaction, forms the focus of this book. The study amalgamates the Man Protagonists in all the novels of R.K. Narayan (1906- 2001) and the theory of three Modes of Nature (Gunas). In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna talks about the three Gunas - Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion) and Tamas (delusion) that are 'installed' in all beings.
It is the brilliance of Narayan's writings that he is able to bring to the fore the stark differences in the man protagonists, each under the impact of one highlighting Guna. This explains how the man protagonists think, respond and lead their lives. In addition, the study helps to solve the conundrum of life and answers several questions related to Self.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roopa Shankar is a Child Consultant and the Principal of Little Scholars Preschool, Allahabad since the past twenty five years. She started the preschool in 1992 after completing the degree of Master’s in Child Development from Lady Irwin College, New Delhi. The love for English Literature made her pursue a dual Master’s in English and later enroll for a Ph.D. program. This book is the corollary of her thesis.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements .................................................................................... 7
Introduction .............................................................................................. 9
1. The Amalgamating Themes ..................................................... 15
• Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami
• The Modes of Nature
2. Predominance of Sattva Guna ................................................. 25
• Novels and Characters with Sattva Guna
• The Sattva Guna of Wisdom and Knowledge
• The Sattva Guna of Compassion and Sympathy
• The Sattva Guna of Gandhian Way of Life
• The Sattva Guna of Religious Bent of Mind and Spirituality
3. Impact of Rajas Guna .............................................................. 67
• Novels and Characters with Rajas Guna
• The Rajas Guna of Desire, Passion and Lust
• The Rajas Guna of Attachment
• The Rajas Guna of Obedience
• The Rajas Guna of Ambition and Action
4. Influence of Tamas Guna ....................................................... 109
• Novels and Characters with Tamas Guna
• Tamas Guna of Lack of Self Control
• Tamas Guna of Delusion
• The Tamas Guna of Ignorance
5. Comparison of Narayan’s Man Protagonists with the
Select Ones of Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao ...................... 139
6. Conclusion............................................................................. 147
Bibliography .......................................................................... 155
Index ...................................................................................... 161
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