“Progressivism” is an ideological, pragmatic system of thought grounded in solving problems and maintaining strong values within society. Progressive writers want to take some change in society or they want to provide some solution for the existing problems. When it comes to the case of caste system (untouchability), there are some conventional solutions given to eradicate caste and untouchability. These are inter- caste marriage, providing education, upliftment of women, freedom of thought and expression, equal treatment, unequal opportunity etc.
To a certain extent these solutions are effective in the society. “Untouchable God: A Novel on Caste and Race” by Kancha Ilaiah (an Indian academician, writer, social, activist for dalit rights) is a portrayal of these ideas through the description of the life of Pariah and Saraswati. He also points out that the condition of upper caste women and makes a remark that their condition is also not different. This paper is an attempt to find the portrayal of these conventional progressive solutions prescribed for the upliftment of women and lower class.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Full Paper
3. Conclude
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the portrayal of conventional progressive solutions—such as education, intercaste marriage, and equal treatment—within Kancha Ilaiah’s novel "Untouchable God: A Novel on Caste and Race," aiming to analyze how these concepts are applied for the upliftment of women and lower-caste individuals in a rigid social structure.
- Progressivism as an ideological and pragmatic system
- The role of education in social mobility and empowerment
- Critique of caste-based discrimination and untouchability
- The intersection of religion, identity, and personal liberty
- The struggle for equality against orthodox social norms
Excerpt from the book
Full Paper
‘You bastard, how dare you think about soul, God and caste?’ shouted an unknown voice. ‘That means…Equality? You son of bitch, you too have begun to think! You too!’ ‘You bastards, stop thinking about God, you think about God. The moment thinks about God, you think about soul. Then you think about equality. All that nonsense’. (Ilaiah, page no 8 to 9).
Progressive is in the sense that Pariah started to think about God. Being the creation of same God why they are not allowed to touch God even they clean temples, clean the shits of the priests? He challenges the set tradition of Brahmins and started to think something new. On the other hand, Brahmins or the upper class people take it as a challenge to their identity. They know that if this lower caste people gets equal rights it will be very for them to survive in order to survive and live their live freely, they need power. Power is a concept which attracts everyone and everyone knows that power cannot be shared because it will reduce their importance in the society.
Education is medium which can help a person in getting his situation improved. Education of primary or higher level plays a vital role in setting a comfortable zone for any person. But for a country like India, which is divided into several castes and classes, it becomes very difficult to survive and getting education and in such situation when a particular group of society is abandoned from education.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of progressivism and its application to the caste system, introducing Kancha Ilaiah's work as a lens for examining these social issues.
Full Paper: Explores the historical context of the Progressive Writers' Movement and provides an in-depth analysis of characters like Pariah and Saraswati to illustrate the impact of social exclusion and the potential for progressive change.
Conclude: Reaffirms the author's role as a progressive writer who challenges established social norms and suggests new dimensions for human welfare through literature.
Keywords
Progressivism, Caste System, Untouchability, Kancha Ilaiah, Dalit Rights, Education, Equality, Hinduism, Social Norms, Brahminical Dominance, Upliftment, Identity, Literature, Social Change
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how Kancha Ilaiah’s novel "Untouchable God" depicts the struggle against caste-based discrimination and investigates the effectiveness of conventional progressive solutions in Indian society.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The key themes include the impact of the caste system, the denial of education to lower castes, the search for equality, and the rigid nature of traditional religious hierarchies.
What is the primary research question being investigated?
The work aims to identify and analyze how the novel portrays various progressive solutions, such as education and equal rights, in the context of the socio-economic upliftment of the lower class and women.
Which scientific or analytical method is utilized?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing the text of the novel to examine social realities, character development, and ideological conflicts regarding caste and power.
What is addressed in the main body of the paper?
The main body focuses on the historical background of the Progressive Writers' Movement, the sociological conditions of untouchables, and specific character arcs—such as Pariah and Saraswati—that reflect these societal tensions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms like Progressivism, Dalit Rights, Caste System, Social Inequality, and Kancha Ilaiah.
How does the novel portray the relationship between education and the caste system?
The paper highlights how the novel demonstrates that education is a vital tool for social mobility, yet it is systematically denied to Dalits by the upper-caste priestly class, who view such knowledge as a threat to their dominance.
What does the transformation of Saraswati into Mumtaj signify in the novel?
This transition signifies the alienation Saraswati feels due to orthodox Hindu beliefs and the subsequent desire to find a new identity through religion, ultimately highlighting the systemic failures and prejudices within the existing social structure.
- Citation du texte
- Rakibul Islam (Auteur), 2017, Untouchable God as the indication of conventional progressive solutions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/359244
