Multiculturalism in Indian Fiction in English

The concept of multiculturalism recognizes ethnic diversity within a society. It encourages others to be enlightened by worthwhile contributions to society made by people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Multiculturalism has acquired a wide range and scope in the fields of politics, sociology, anthropology and literary studies. As a social theory, it brings together different themes such as cultural diversity, recognition, mutual concern, and peaceful co-existence of many cultures and subcultures. Though multiculturalism opposes cultural hegemony, it appreciates cultural diversity and respects the notion of multiple identities at individual, cultural, ethnic, religious and national levels.

The book aims at showing how social theory of multiculturalism helps in maintaining social health through mutual respect, love, tolerance, acceptance, recognition and accommodation of different cultures. It attempts a close examination of Indian novels in English in the light of both support and violation of the principles of multiculturalism in the selected novels by eminent Indian writers such as: Untouchable (1935) by Mulk Raj Anand, Train to Pakistan (1956) by Khushwant Singh, Bye Bye Blackbird (1971) by Anita Desai and The God of Small Things (1997) by Arundhati Roy.

The book will be useful to the students and teachers of English literature, Indian English literature, particularly fiction, and researchers in these fields.