Territorial Imagination and Social Realism: The Regionalist Vision in Shailjanand Mukherjee’s Fiction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm2024.v04.n02.013Keywords:
Territorial Imagination, Social Realism, Regionalism, Marginalized Communities, Modernity, Narrative EthicsAbstract
In order to better understand how Shailjanand Mukherjee's regionalist vision reflects the lived reality of marginalized groups, this study examines the relationship between territorial imagination and social realism in his literature. It contends that Mukherjee's stories establish the area as a significant social and cultural space shaped by history, power, and human experience rather than merely depicting a location. By closely examining his writings, the study demonstrates how rural and semi-urban Bengal develops into a vibrant place where caste, class, poverty, and identity issues are intricately linked to day-to-day existence. The essay also looks at how Mukherjee avoids romanticism and exaggeration by presenting these realities honestly and deeply through the literary technique of social realism. His characters are presented as dynamic people who exhibit resiliency and autonomy while simultaneously struggling within social institutions. The study also emphasizes how the concept of territorial imagination aids in comprehending the symbolic significance of space in his literature, as social and emotional situations are reflected in landscapes. Mukherjee's balanced portrayal of the conflicts between tradition and modernity is demonstrated by the discussion of the relationship between regional life and contemporary developments. His writing challenges readers to consider societal injustice and personal responsibility by fusing narrative style with ethical engagement. The study concludes that Mukherjee's regionalist literature provides a potent illustration of how local experiences can convey more general social realities and advance the Indian social realism tradition.
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