Why might a character experience conflict and satisfaction when interacting with people who are unlike themselves?

Question

Characters in the stories by Indian writers Desai and Tagore experience both conflict and satisfaction from interacting with people who are unlike themselves. Discuss why such a theme might be common for a writer from this part of the world.

Desai wrote Five Hours to Simla 

Tagore wrote The Cabuliwallah

Answer 1

The theme of characters experiencing conflict and satisfaction when interacting with people who are unlike themselves is a common theme in literature from various parts of the world. However, in the stories of Indian writers such as Desai and Tagore, this theme may be particularly relevant due to the diverse and complex social dynamics of Indian society.

India is a country of great diversity, with a multitude of different cultures, languages, religions, and social classes. This diversity often leads to social conflicts and tensions, but it can also create opportunities for mutual understanding and growth. The interactions between characters from different backgrounds in Desai's Five Hours to Simla and Tagore's The Cabuliwallah reflect this complexity and highlight the potential for both conflict and satisfaction.

In Five Hours to Simla, the character of the Englishwoman Miss Crane is initially resistant to the culture and customs of the Indian people she encounters during her journey. However, as she spends more time with them and learns more about their way of life, she begins to develop a greater appreciation for their perspective and experiences a sense of satisfaction from this newfound understanding.

Similarly, in The Cabuliwallah, the main character, a Bengali man named Mini, initially views the titular character, a Muslim peddler from Afghanistan, with suspicion and fear. However, as the two spend time together, Mini comes to see the Cabuliwallah as a human being with his own unique experiences and struggles, and he experiences a sense of satisfaction from the connections they form.

Overall, the theme of characters experiencing conflict and satisfaction when interacting with people who are unlike themselves is a common one in literature from India and other parts of the world. In the context of Indian society, this theme reflects the complex social dynamics created by the country's diversity and highlights the potential for mutual understanding and growth even in the face of social tensions and conflicts.