Flight From The Maze Of Chaos To The World Of Freedom- An Analysis Of Giriji’s Journey In Rajam Krishnan’s Lamps In The Whirlpool

Abstract

The traditional Indian wife is the best antidote to modern ills related to family and culture. In all sections of the society whether in lower class or upper or middle class, Indian wife is all what men can dream of. But she has lived in a society totally ruled by tradition and appropriateness in which she is no more than a second class citizen. However, during the second part of the twentieth century, one can witness a dramatic improvement in the lives of Indian women. Unfortunately, some women in search of their identity alienate themselves from the realities of human life. They fail to establish harmonious human relationship with people around. The reasons for such failures have been delineated convincingly in the writings of  Rajam Krishnan.

Rajam Krishnan’s women question and sometimes rebel against their maternal role; but are not able to reject it outright. At some point in their lives deny motherhood and attempt finding escape routes, but eventually understand total separation is not possible since they feel children are vulnerable and re-enter their maternal roles but of course with modifications. Wives now seek to shirk their role, leave home as a token of their protest temporarily or forever which though certainly may shock the patriarchs yet offers them a scope to rectify and make amendments and remedies for the harm they have done to women.This Paper focuses on the life of Girija, the protagonist of  Lamps in the Whirlpool by Rajam Krishnan. It traces Girija’s plight in her marital life and the struggle she undergoes and finally her attempt to free from the clutches of the traditional society.