The Theme of Oppression in Shyam Selvadurai’s Cinnamon Gardens

The Theme of Oppression in Shyam Selvadurai’s Cinnamon Gardens
Author(s):
Dr. P. Veerasamy
Keywords:
patriarchy, homosexuality, oppression, injustice.
Abstract
Oppression is one of the themes in all literatures. A vast majority of people are oppressed at home and in the public life in terms of gender, religion and caste and they become the victims of oppression of it. Many are oppressed by the people who hold authoritative position in the society. The Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines the word, “oppress” as “to govern with cruelty and injustice” (966). Oppression makes a person helpless in the society and it is an injustice to the entire humanity. Shyam Selvadurai’s Cinnamon Gardens, set in Ceylon in the 1920s, deals with the story of Annalukshmi, the protagonist and Balendran, her uncle. This novel enumerates the themes of homosexuality and oppression. The theme of oppression is presented clearly by the author. The patriarchal set up of Ceylon makes Louisa, Annalukshmi’s mother and her aunty Philomina Barnett traditionalists. They are highly reluctant to go beyond the expected norms of the patriarchal society. This paper traces out the theme of oppression in terms of patriarchy, caste and religion.
Article Details
Unique Paper ID: 155089 Publication Volume & Issue: Volume 8, Issue 12 Page(s): 1332 - 1333
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