ALLEGORY OF POWER AND COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE: ANALYZING THE ROLE OF SYMBOLISM IN ARUN JOSHI’S THE CITY AND THE RIVER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v2.i2.2021.4753Keywords:
Allegory, Power, Symbolism, Collective Conscience, Authoritarianism, Corruption, RedemptionAbstract [English]
The paper explores the intricate interplay of power, symbolism, and moral awakening in Arun Joshi’s The City and The River. By examining key allegorical elements—the omnipresent Master, the transformative River, and the guiding Boatman—Joshi critiques authoritarian regimes and highlights the resilience of collective conscience. Drawing on critical perspectives from political allegory, postcolonial literature, and symbolism studies, the paper demonstrates how Joshi’s narrative not only exposes the corrosive effects of tyranny but also celebrates the transformative power of moral and cultural renewal. Novel theoretical insights on cultural memory and symbolic resistance are introduced to extend traditional interpretations.
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