Rethinking The Gandhian Vision: Nationalist Ideologies And Personal Transformations In Kanthapura And The Guide

Abstract

The novels of Raja Rao and R.K. Narayan have long been celebrated for their nuanced engagement with the social, political, and cultural upheavals of post-independence India. This research paper aims to explore how these two seminal works, Kanthapura and The Guide, rethink and reinterpret the Gandhian vision of nationalism, weaving it into the complex personal transformations of their respective protagonists.

Through a comparative analysis of the two novels, this study will examine the ways in which Rao and Narayan navigate the tension between the grand, ideological aspirations of the nationalist movement and the intimate, often conflicting, individual experiences of their characters. The paper will investigate how the authors employ narrative strategies, characterization, and the interplay of tradition and modernity to complicate and expand upon the Gandhian principles of non-violence, social reform, and spiritual enlightenment.

Particular attention will be paid to the roles of Moorthy in Kanthapura and Raju in The Guide, as they serve as central conduits for the authors' reinterpretations of the Gandhian vision. The study will explore how these protagonists embody the struggle to reconcile the demands of the nationalist struggle with their own personal desires, beliefs, and transformations, often leading to a renegotiation of the Gandhian ideals within the specific socio-cultural contexts of their respective narratives.

By situating these works within the broader context of postcolonial studies and the evolution of the Indian novel, this research paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between nationalist ideologies and individual agency, as well as the enduring relevance of Gandhian principles in the creative and critical discourse of Indian English literature.