ANURADHA ROY'S ALL THE LIVES WE NEVER LIVED; UNVEILING MARITAL ENTRAPMENT IN COLONIZED INDIA

Abstract

Abstract

The present study examined the grand issue of marital entrapment in colonial period India through the lens of Anuradha Roy's All the Lives We Never Live. The study employed Simone de Beauvoir's existentialism to analyze societal norms, gender dynamics, and power structure prevalent during colonial era, contextualizing the experiences of the protagonist within this framework. Harriet Taylor's concept of celebrating rationality in marriage also utilized to analyze Roy's narrative strategies and character development. The paper explores how Gayatri's story sheds light on the complexities of marriage and personal agency in a historical setting marked by colonialism and patriarchal dominance. By engaging with themes of identity, autonomy, and societal expectations, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between personal lives and historical forces in colonial India.

Keywords; marital entrapment, existentialism, colonialism and patriarchal dominance