| Abstract: |
This research paper examines the literary depictions of old and new India through a cross-author analysis of V.S. Naipaul and Aravind Adiga, two prominent writers who have significantly shaped postcolonial representations of India. The primary objective is to analyze how these authors construct contrasting narratives of traditional and contemporary India through their distinctive literary perspectives. The methodology employed is qualitative comparative analysis utilizing textual examination of selected works including Naipaul's India trilogy and Adiga's The White Tiger. The hypothesis proposes that while both authors critique Indian society, Naipaul represents India through a diasporic lens of disillusionment with traditional structures, whereas Adiga portrays contemporary India's socioeconomic disparities through indigenous perspectives. Results indicate that Naipaul's portrayal emphasizes cultural stagnation, colonial remnants, and civilizational wounds, while Adiga highlights neoliberal India's class divisions, corruption, and the darkness-light binary. The discussion reveals that both writers employ distinct narrative strategies to represent India's transformation. The conclusion establishes that these complementary perspectives provide comprehensive understanding of India's postcolonial journey from traditional to globalized society. |
