Urban exploration of rural youth in the novels 'Aparajit', 'Deyal' and 'Coolie'/ ‘অপরাজিত’, ‘দেয়াল’ এবং ‘কুলি’ উপন্যাসে গ্রামীণ যুবকদের শহর নিরীক্ষা

Abstract

Just as Bibhutibhushan created Apu in the novel 'Aparajita', the evolution of that can be discerned in the character of Ranjit in Jaya Gowala's novel 'Deyal'. Ranjit also realized the same meaninglessness of lifeless relationships that Apudid when he came to Kolkata. On the other hand, in Mulk Raj Anand's novel 'Coolie', Munnu also went from Shyamnagar to different cities in search of work, and he also experienced the same. Although the perspectives of the three heroes are different, they are troubled by the same problems of city life. Before portraying the problems of city life, it is necessary to look at some features of socio-logical aspects of the city. Eminent sociologist S.C. Dube, in his book 'Bharatiya Samaj' states-

1. In urban life, the traditional social structure becomes somewhat loose and the old social norms become much weaker. As a result, the bonds between family, relatives, and different castes become looser.

2. Human-human relationships become much more impersonal, grooved, and systematized.

3. In urban areas, cold calculations of the advantages that would follow begin to take precedence in the exchange of relationships between individuals and groups. The observance of old rituals and ceremonies and contact with relatives begin to decline.

It is easy and imperative to explore how these attributes of city life are embodied in the three novels.