Globalization in the Novels of Kiran Desai: A Study

Abstract or Introduction

Kiran Desai has created an indelible space for herself in Indian writings in English with the publication of her two novels "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" and "The Inheritance of Loss". "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" fetched for Desai the Betty Trask Award in 1998, while "The Inheritance of Loss" made her the youngest, female recipient of the coveted Man Booker Prize, in 2006. As a globalized citizen, Desai has explored the ramifications of being a globalized citizen hip hopping countries and continents. This study deals with globalization in both her novels "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" and "The Inheritance of Loss". It shows the changes that have crept into India after thorough globalization of the world. They show how Indians and Indian sensibilities have changed with globalization. Globalization refers to an increase of globalism. It refers to an increase in global relationships in socio-economic, technological and cultural domains. It denotes the buildup of a new global order in political, economic and cultural arenas.

Desai through her two novels "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" and "The Inheritance of Loss" talks about the positive and negative aspects associated with globalization. The novel "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" presents the effects of globalization on Indian society and India as an economy. "The Inheritance of Loss" depicts the effects of globalization on Indian society, and Indian immigrants abroad. Hinting at the advantages associated with globalization, both the novels hint at the erasure of individual and cultural identity on account of globalization when locals in India or Indian immigrants abroad do not guard themselves against the negative aspects of globalization.