THE PRISON OF PROPERTY: THE HOUSE AS A METAPHOR FOR ENTRAPMENT IN V.S. NAIPAUL’S A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS

Abstract [English]

Naipaul's A House for Mr. Biswas offers a multifaceted critique of the colonial experience, examining its impact on individuals and societies. The novel's central metaphor, the house, is a potent symbol of both personal aspiration and societal constraint. While Mr. Biswas's relentless pursuit of property ownership reflects his desire for autonomy and self-determination, the house ultimately becomes a prison, confining him to a life of limited possibilities. This paper explores how the house metaphor functions as a critique of colonial society's oppressive structures. It examines the ways in which Mr. Biswas's social class, race, and colonial status limit his agency and shape his experiences. The house, far from being merely a physical space, is a symbolic representation of these broader social and historical forces. By examining the complex interplay between individual agency and societal constraints, this analysis offers a deeper understanding of the novel's themes and meanings.