Smruti's Blog

The Modernist Mahabharata: Hamartia, Moral Dilemma, and Deconstructive Strategies in T.P. Kailasam's 'The Curse or Karna: An Impression of Sophocles in Five Acts' This blog task is assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am, as a part of thinking activity for Paper- 201: Indian English Literature- Post Independence's Unit-2: 'The Curse or Karna' by T.P. Kailasam. Question 1: Moral Conflict and Hamartia in Karna's Character in T.P. Kailasam's "The Curse" Introduction T.P. Kailasam's "The Curse" represents a landmark achievement in modern Indian drama, transforming the ancient mythological figure of Karna from the Mahabharata into a complex tragic hero whose character embodies profound moral conflicts and demonstrates a distinctly Aristotelian hamartia. Written during a period of intense social and political transformation in colonial India, Kailasam's play engages with the classical epic material not merely as a retelling but as a sop...

Between Mighty Opposites: Exploring Marginalization, Existential Crisis, and Corporate Power Through Shakespeare and Stoppard This blog was written as part of an academic exercise guided by Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad. It developed through the study of ' Hamlet' and ' Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' , focusing on how certain characters remain sidelined within dominant systems of power. The discussion extended beyond literature, inviting reflections on similar structures in contemporary society, where hierarchies continue to shape visibility, voice, and value. To see the background and instructions of this activity, visit the task HERE .

The Real Caribbean Story: How Wide Sargasso Sea Changed Literature Forever Introduction When Jean Rhys published Wide Sargasso Sea in 1966, she didn't just write a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's ' Jane Eyre'  she fundamentally challenged how we understand colonial literature, cultural identity, and whose voices matter in the literary canon. This groundbreaking novel gives voice to Antoinette Cosway, the character known only as "the madwoman in the attic" in Bronte's classic, and in doing so, revolutionizes our understanding of Caribbean literature and postcolonial discourse. In this comprehensive analysis, we'll explore four critical dimensions of Rhys's masterpiece: the authentic representation of Caribbean cultural identity, the complex portrayal of madness in female characters, the revolutionary use of pluralist truth in narrative structure, and the novel's powerful postcolonial critique. By examining these interconnected themes, we'll u...