Existential Maturity of Savitri in the <I>Dark Room</I> by R. K. Narayan

Abstract

This article is mainly focused on the protagonist Savitri of the novel: The Dark Room by R.K. Narayan and how she is alienated from herself, from society and from the world and about her quest for marital identity. Savitri also goes through the crisis of discontent to the quest for happiness. Savitri of the ancient legend is a paragon of virtue and courage who confronts even Death to save her husband is finally victorious. Ironically, unlike the legendary Savitri, Narayan’s Savitri chooses to leave home, husband and children once she comes to know of her husband’s infidelity. Contrary to the legend, Savitri is just an ordinary, amiable, housewife. She abandons her gambler and drunkard husband and her family. But her independence proves detrimental to Savitri’s familial peace. Narayan skillfully portrays her every action and in his ironic subtle fashion puts across the artificiality behind it.

Keywords: Existence, anxiety, alienation, existential struggle, choice of freedom, frustration