Monica Ali’s psychological novel of formation is a collection of different kinds of emotional strains and traumas. Each character is afflicted with emotional problems, especially the main character Mukundan Nair who is tortured by his mother’s death even after many decades. Bhasi has experienced a sad love story but he has managed to recover from that, has started a family and has become a healer. First of all, I will give a definition to the question: what is “The Better Man”? Then, I will explain explain Mukundan’s betterment. Whereas Mukundan’s friend Bhasi has been able to sever his connections with the past, Mukundan is absolutely unable to refrain from his past. In chapter 2, I will explain Mukundan’s transformation by analysing the confrontation with his trauma and naming the signs of Mukundan’s betterment. However, there is also a time in which Mukundan behaves very selfishly. That selfishness, though, is the factor which ultimately contributes to Mukundan’s emotional recovery. It is worth mentioning that Mukundan becomes able to establish a deep friendship and a good relationship. For the first time in his life he is deeply in love with a woman and it is not merely an affair basing on superficiality and sexual intercourse. In that context, the the reader will find an explanation in 2.3 of how even a short period of disturbed narcissism can serve as a mainspring with regard to a psychological cure. And the last chapter will deal with the question, if Nair’s work is a psychological novel of formation novel?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The definition of “The Better Man”
- Mukundan's betterment
- Facing his trauma
- Achuthan Nair influencing his son's life
- The signs of Mukundan's betterment
- A temporary regression leads to true happiness
- The reasons why that novel is a psychological novel of formation
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the character of Mukundan in Monica Ali's novel "The Better Man", examining whether he undergoes a transformation to become "a better man". The paper aims to define the meaning of "The Better Man" and to explore the factors contributing to Mukundan's psychological development.
- The definition of "The Better Man" and its application to Mukundan.
- Mukundan's emotional and psychological journey in overcoming trauma related to his mother's death.
- The influence of his father, Achuthan Nair, and his friend, Bhasi, on Mukundan's transformation.
- The role of responsibility, honesty, and self-awareness in Mukundan's personal growth.
- The analysis of "The Better Man" as a psychological novel of formation, focusing on Mukundan's development.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides a context for the analysis by defining the focus of the paper. The chapter "The definition of 'The Better Man'" examines the meaning of the novel's title, exploring different interpretations of "a better man". It highlights the importance of emotional and psychological growth, responsibility, honesty, and self-awareness in becoming a better individual.
Chapter 2, "Mukundan's betterment", delves into Mukundan's struggle with trauma stemming from his mother's death. It investigates how he confronts his past and the influence of his father and friend on his journey. The chapter examines Mukundan's progress in overcoming his trauma, highlighting his developing emotional maturity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts discussed in this analysis include "The Better Man", psychological novel of formation, trauma, emotional growth, responsibility, honesty, self-awareness, and personal development. These terms are central to understanding Mukundan's character development and the themes explored in Monica Ali's "The Better Man".
- Quote paper
- Nadine Richters (Author), 2008, Does Mukundan in Anita Nair's novel "The Better Man" become a better man?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/116703
