The SPL Journal of Literary Hermeneutics: A Biannual International Journal of Independent Critical Thinking https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs <h2>ABOUT THE SPLJLH JOURNAL</h2> <p><strong><em>The SPL Journal of Literary Hermeneutics: A Biannual International Journal of Independent Critical Thinking</em> </strong>is an Open Access, Double-blind Peer-reviewed / Refereed Journal. It is published in the month of January and July as Winter and Monsoon Editions. The journal aims at providing a better understanding of the polyphonic literary narratives. It aims to envisage the literary narratives not as an autonomous entity but as convergence where literary and extra literary concerns interact and influence in subtle ways. The journal is, therefore, committed to register the responses of readers, scholars and academicians who approach a literary text as an interpretive dialogue across cultures, literatures, themes, concepts and genres. The overall focus of the journal is on literary hermeneutics and independent critical thinking. The Journal aims to provide a forum of all like-minded scholars, researchers, academicians, independent critical thinkers and creative writers globally.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 0.875rem;">JOURNALS PARTICULARS</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Title: </strong><em><a href="http://www.literaryherm.org/">The SPL Journal of Literary Hermeneutics: A Biannual International Journal of Independent Critical Thinking</a></em></li> <li><strong>Frequency: </strong>Biannual</li> <li><strong>ISSN: </strong><a href="https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN-L/2583-1674">2583-1674</a></li> <li><strong>Publisher: </strong><a href="http://www.cavemarkpublications.com/">Cavemark Publications Private Limited</a> </li> <li><strong>Chief Editor: </strong><a href="http://www.tariqfaraz.net/">Dr. Mohammad Tariq</a></li> <li><strong>Starting Year: </strong>January 2021</li> <li><strong>Indexed by:</strong> <a href="https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN-L/2583-1674">ROAD</a></li> <li><strong>Open Access</strong>: Yes</li> <li><strong>Subject: </strong>Literature</li> <li><strong>Language: </strong>English</li> <li><strong>Publication Format: </strong><a href="http://www.literaryherm.org/">Online</a></li> <li><strong>Phone No.: </strong>+91-9450297747 </li> <li><strong>Email ID: </strong><a href="mailto:editor@literaryherm.org">editor@literaryherm.org</a> / <a href="mailto:literaryherm@gmail.com">literaryherm@gmail.com</a></li> <li><strong>Mobile No.: </strong>+91-7007267681</li> <li><strong>Website: </strong><a href="http://www.literaryherm.org/">www.literaryherm.org</a> / <a href="http://www.cavemarkpublications.com/">www.cavemarkpublications.com</a></li> <li><strong>Address: </strong>PN 6-7 Bhadurpur (Phool Bagh Colony), Kursi Road, Lucknow UP—226026 India</li> <li><strong>Content-type: </strong>Academic/Scholarly/ Peer- Reviewed/ Refereed Review</li> <li><strong>Scope: </strong>Journal accepts unpublished works but not limited to the following: Indian Literature in English, Pakistani English Literature, SAARC Literature, African American Literature, British Literature, American Literature, Art, Aesthetics, Myth, Culture, Folklore, Canadian Literature, Children’s Literature, Dalit Literature, Diaspora Studies, Disability Studies, Disaster Literature, English Language Teaching, Gender Studies, Postcolonial Literature, Tribal Literature, Commonwealth Literature, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Cyber Literature, Linguistics, Science Fiction and Cultural Analysis and Translation Studies and Literature and theory of literature, women’s studies, world literature, etc.</li> <li><strong>Policy: </strong>Double Blind Peer Review Policy, open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License Licensed under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a></li> <li><strong>Review</strong> <strong>Time: </strong>A fortnight.</li> </ul> en-US editor@literaryherm.org (Dr. Mohammad Tariq) literaryherm@gmail.com (Dr. Afreen Usmani) Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Manju Bala’s “The Housemaid Special”: A Study in Dalit Consciousness and Resistance https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/151 <p><strong>Aims:</strong><em> Dalit literature in Bangla, more often than not, has been written by Dalit men. However, there is a body of Dalit literature in Bangla written by Dalit women, where gender and caste identities intersect and manifest themselves. This paper seeks to address how this complex identity politics plays out in Bangla Dalit woman writer Manju Bala’s short story “The Housemaid Special”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approaches:</strong><em> The methodology of my research has been a close reading of the short story in question as well as a parallel reading of other Dalit literary works such as Manohar Mouli Biswas’s Surviving in My World: Growing Up Dalit in Bengal and other theoretical and critical texts on Dalit literary history and aesthetics (as cited at the end of the paper) to drive home the challenges confronting Dalit literature in bringing about material changes in Brahminical socio-political structures.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></p> <p><strong>Outcome:</strong><em> Bala’s story in question deftly weaves in concerns of the three axes of class, caste and gender, and exposes with a typical Dalit consciousness the muted existence of casteism in Bengal, thereby unravelling the Savarna politics of epistemic violence in silencing the Dalit voice as part of a centuries-old process of ‘othering’. </em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestions:</strong><em> Dalit literature has developed into a body that is ontologically and epistemologically productive for understanding and transforming the social and political contours of contemporary India. In order to dismantle the long-entrenched caste structure, the Dalit has to combat the ideological state apparatuses of upper-caste canonical literature that propagates Brahminical values and aesthetics and pass them off as the universal and ahistorical Hindu/Indian experience.</em></p> Chinmoy Dey Copyright (c) 2024 Chinmoy Dey https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/151 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Trauma and its Manifestations in Saadat Hasan Manto’s “Toba Tek Singh” https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/152 <p><strong><em>Aims:</em></strong><em> The present paper entitled “Trauma and its Manifestations in Saadat Hasan Manto’s “Toba Tek Singh” aims to elaborate the concept of trauma both in clinical and psychological terms. It also tries to establish a link between trauma and its various manifestations in Manto’s short story “Toba Tek Singh”.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Methodology and Approaches:</em></strong><em> The paper is primarily based on the elaborations of the various events occurred in “Toba Tek Singh”. The character of Bishan Singh has been analyzed showcasing him as a typical case of psychological trauma. The analysis has been made in such a way that can lead to a larger understanding of literary narratives as an outcome of traumatic psyche. The methods and approaches adopted for writing of this paper are explanatory, analytical and reinterpretive.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Outcome:</em></strong><em> The paper offers a new approach to relook into certain literary texts. It also raises question on the role of memory as a device to ascertain historical facts in a troubled time. </em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusion and Suggestions:</em></strong><em> Trauma is an overwhelming experience of sudden or catastrophic events, in which the response to the event occurs in the often delayed, and uncontrolled repetitive occurrence of hallucinations and other intrusive phenomena. Saadat Hasan Manto's "Toba Tek Singh" stands as a powerful indictment of the trauma inflicted by the partition of India and Pakistan. The characters of Manto’s other short stories such as “Mozail” and “The Return” can be analysed from the perspective of physical trauma.</em></p> Abdul Haseeb Copyright (c) 2024 Abdul Haseeb https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/152 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Identity Crisis and Diasporic Elements in Jhumpa Lahiri’s, The Namesake https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/153 <p><strong><em>Aim:</em></strong><em> In this paper, the main aim is to describe the requisite issue of the migration to present the pain and the problems that are faced by the immigrants by understanding the term ‘Diaspora’ in Jhumpa Lahiri’s, The Namesake. The novel, The Namesake, has so many diasporic expressions such as language as a barrier, alienation, culture identity, relationship between parents and children and nostalgia. The novel tells a story about the assimilation of an Indian Bengali family from Calcutta, the Ganguly into America, over thirty years (1968-2000). </em></p> <p><strong><em>Methodology and Approach:</em></strong><em> The author has consulted the primary and secondary sources as part of her research. This research uses qualitative literary analysis of Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, which focuses on the themes of the identity crisis and diasporic elements. The paper is based on textual analysis aided by secondary sources to explore the impact of migration on identity formation.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Outcome:</em></strong><em> Through this paper, the researcher has found that “The Namesake” complexly portyrays the intense struggles of identity and belonging faced by migrant people. It outlines how cultural heritage and personal yearning shape as well as complicate the protagonist’s and his surroundings journey.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Conclusions and Suggestions:</em></strong><em> The study concludes that this novel profoundly captures the complexity of identity crisis. The researcher has tried to explore comparative analysis with other diaspora literature also to get to know more about how different cultural backgrounds shapes and influence identity formation to enrich the understanding of multiculturalism more effectively.&nbsp;</em></p> Deepika Agarwal Copyright (c) 2024 Deepika Agarwal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/153 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Becoming an ‘In/Outsider’ in an ‘Unhomely’ World: A Reading of Siddhartha Deb’s The Point of Return https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/150 <p><strong>Aims:</strong> <em>The paper entitled “Becoming an ‘In-Outsider’ in an ‘Unhomely’ World: A Reading of Siddhartha Deb’s The Point of Return” deals with the complexities of ethnic violence in Meghalaya post-independent India. The plight of the Bengalis who fled their previous homeland and settled in the new country is addressed. Even though they became citizens of the new Indian nation, they struggled to belong to their place of settlement. </em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approaches:</strong> <em>The research methodology for this analysis is qualitative and based on textual examination of primary and secondary sources. It takes both the subjective approach as well as objective historical sources to interpret the text in the context of the spatio-temporal setting of events and places.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcome:</strong> <em>There have been attempts to deconstruct binaries in postcolonial studies. Drawing from these postcolonial theorists, the paper attempts to deconstruct the insider-outsider dichotomy prevalent within India’s Northeast, particularly in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Instead of overtly demonstrating the fluidity of identities or essentialising a cosmopolitan outlook, the narrative situates itself within while at the same time deconstructing the binary of who belongs and who does not.</em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestions:</strong> <em>The conundrum on the question of who is the real insider/outsider remains complex. In such a scenario, those migrants or refugees who find themselves belonging “neither here nor there,” find themselves occupying a “third space.” Their voices need to be heard and there is a need to be more open-minded so that a more inclusive society can be built.</em>&nbsp;</p> PF John Bosco Copyright (c) 2023 PF John Bosco https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/150 Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Cross- Cultural Conflicts and Diasporic Sensibilities in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s Arranged Marriage https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/156 <p><strong>Aim<em>:</em></strong><em> The primary goal of this paper is to define the essential aspect of migration in order to highlight the suffering and difficulties that immigrants encounter by comprehending the meaning of the term "Diaspora" in Citra Banerjee Divakaruni's collection of short stories, Arrange marriage. The anthology features numerous diasporic expressions that the female characters must deal with. They discovered that they were caught between traditional and modern values, experiencing alienation, identity crisis, and cultural clash.</em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approach:</strong> <em>A detailed reading of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's collection of short stories served as the research methodology. As part of her research, the author has consulted both primary and secondary materials. Qualitative literary analysis of Arranged Marriage is used in this study. The purpose of the paper is to investigate how migration affects the construction of identity using textual analysis supported by secondary sources.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcomes:</strong> <em>As the research found that, the story collection Arranged Marriage attempts to portray the lives of female characters who are caught between the worlds of the East and the West. They are having difficulty identifying as neither American nor Indian.</em></p> <p><strong>Conclusions and Suggestion: </strong><em>The present study focuses on the main idea of this story collection is that the native tradition always peeps through the live of these women characters unable them to cope with in alien culture, leaving them with a sense of nostalgic pain. The voice for these underrepresented women has emerged in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s Arranged Marriage.</em></p> Vidhi, Pooja Copyright (c) 2024 Vidhi, Pooja https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/156 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Quest for Identity: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi’s Me Hijra Me Laxmi https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/139 <p><strong>Aim: </strong><em>The present research paper aims to examine the quest for identity and creation of identity through individual effort in the lives of the transgender people. Role of people in society in the plight of marginalized transgender community is critically evaluated through the autobiographical literary texture Me Hijra Me Laxmi. The paper also seeks to critically study the psychological trauma of the transgender when they are denied of fundamental opportunities like other human beings. </em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approaches: </strong><em>Critical and analytical methods have been applied in the present research paper examining the reasons and effects of biased attitude regarding transgender. Expectations and attitudes have been kept in mind in analyzing socially and psychologically with a view to find out the ways for betterment in the lives of transgender people.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcome:</strong> <em>Exclusion from the society is the root cause of suffering of transgender people in the society is the outcome of the present research paper. It is education</em> <em>that is of great significance to resolve the problem and bring a change in the existing situation in the society. </em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestion: </strong><em>In conclusion it is found that individual is also responsible for happiness and sorrow. As suggestion it can be pointed out that education, inclusion, positive attitude, personal effort, opportunities in every walk of life among others will be successful pillars in making the life as human beings for transgender people.</em></p> Naveen Kumar Vishwakarma Copyright (c) 2023 Naveen Kumar Vishwakarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/139 Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Femininity Redefined: Cinematic Portrayal of Intersection of Disability and Sexuality in Margarita with a Straw https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/158 <p><strong>Aim</strong>: <em>This research paper aims to examine the relationship between disability and sexuality in Margarita with a Straw, a film directed by Shonali Bose. It also investigates how Laila (the protagonist), a young lady with cerebral palsy, manages her relationships and sexuality while overcoming the obstacles imposed on her. In my opinion, the film subverts the widely held belief that people with disabilities are asexual and incapable of feeling love or sexual desire by showing Laila's sexuality and desire as significant aspects of her existence. The article discusses how Laila's intersectional identity as a bisexual, disabled woman complicates her journey of life.</em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approach</strong>: <em>The study is primarily qualitative and employs textual analysis as a theoretical tool for critically evaluating the film. Both primary and secondary sources have been examined.</em><em> In addition, it has been studied in the context of feminist theory and disability studies.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Outcome</em></strong><em>-The researchers have discovered through this paper that the film Margarita with a Straw undermines ableist and heteronormative presumptions about sexuality and relationships by offering a complex and inspiring portrayal of disability and desire. Overall, this study emphasizes the need for changes in how disabilities are portrayed in popular media and aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge concerning the relationship between sexuality and disability.</em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestions:</strong> <em>The film "Margarita with a Straw" is a potent example of how cinema can redefine gender and subvert social standards. By focusing on the experiences of a protagonist with a disability, "Margarita with a Straw" fosters a more diverse and inclusive cinematic landscape, increasing comprehension, empathy, and acceptance of underrepresented identities.</em> <em>Disability awareness's objectives and tenets are to protect individuals with disabilities from prejudice, promote their equal involvement in society, and ensure that they have access to the same opportunities and rights as persons without disabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> Kumari Manjari Copyright (c) 2024 Kumari Manjari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/158 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Quality-deterioration, English Studies, Problems and Challenges in Higher Education System of India https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/159 <p><strong>Aims: </strong><em>The present paper aims to highlight the different aspects of quality deterioration in the higher education system in India, particularly in the context of globalization. It focuses on the growing number of students, over-professionalism, and systemic issues that are compromising quality, merit, and talent. The paper also includes a comparative exploration of English Studies in India.</em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and approaches: </strong><em>This paper critically examines the current challenges facing higher education in India, including the poor standard of education, inadequate academic infrastructure, shortage of competent faculty, bureaucratic dominance, and limited financial support from the government. The analysis considers the role of science and information technology in improving educational quality. A comparative approach is used to explore the evolution of English Studies in India, with an emphasis on minimizing dependence on foreign techniques and fostering practical, experience-based learning.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcome: </strong><em>The study identifies significant barriers to quality-driven education, including over-professionalism, the politicization of higher education, and excessive reliance on foreign systems. It acknowledges the positive impact of science and technology but emphasizes the need for a shift in focus toward strengthening educational quality rather than quantity. The comparative look at English Studies reveals areas where India can foster more self-reliant and practical approaches.</em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and suggestions: </strong><em>The paper concludes that value-based education is essential for improving the quality of higher education in India. It suggests that the government provide adequate financial support, reduce dependence on foreign education systems, and prioritize practical, experiment-based learning. Additionally, depoliticizing education and creating autonomous institutions will help achieve international standards.</em></p> Ratnesh Baranwal Copyright (c) 2024 Ratnesh Baranwal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/159 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 A Marxist-Feminist Study of Patriarchal and Political Credo in A Thousand Splendid Suns https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/160 <p><strong>Aims: </strong><em>This research examines how fiction writers from around the globe have portrayed the enslavement and marginalization of women, which is rooted in cultural, social, economic, and political systems rather than individual actions. Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, sheds light on the struggles women endure under patriarchal oppression in Afghanistan, where they are marginalized due to a combination of societal, cultural, economic, and political challenges. </em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approaches: </strong><em>The novel&nbsp;includes a close reading of the text, with a particular emphasis on feminist elements. The study employs a thematic analysis to examine many issues, including the societal, cultural, economic, and political obstacles of living in a war-torn country. Set in Afghanistan during the last three decades, the narrative depicts the suffering of ordinary folks, notably women, in a society dominated by males.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcome:</strong> <em>A Thousand Splendid Suns' depiction of tyranny is a reflection of the larger patriarchal system. This analysis highlights the political and patriarchal forces at work in the novel using the prism of Marxist feminist theory. Marxist feminism asserts that gender and class oppression are comparable, with men perceiving women as inferior and treating them as the working class, while men see themselves as the ruling class.</em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestions: </strong><em>The severe gender imbalance relegates women to the lowest levels of society, often treating them as mere objects and sources of shame. The oppression portrayed in A Thousand Splendid Suns mirrors the broader patriarchal system. The novel also illustrates Afghan history and collective memory. Afghanistan has a long history of resilience amid adversity. As depicted in the story, women are often viewed as a disgrace to society, further diminishing their status in a male-dominated world.</em></p> Imran Ahmad Khan Copyright (c) 2024 Imran Ahmad Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/160 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Malapilla (1938): A Struggle for the Representation of Harijans in the Cinematic Space https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/161 <p><strong>Aim:</strong> <em>This paper analyzes the 1938 Telugu film Malapilla (An Untouchable Girl) as an early cinematic representation of caste dynamics, focusing on the portrayal of Dalit struggles and societal conflicts. It examines the film’s attempt to use romance and reformist ideals to bridge the caste divide and how cinema becomes a vehicle for both critique and cultural transformation during the pre-independence period. </em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approaches: </strong><em>The research employs a historical and critical analysis of Malapilla, contextualizing it within Telugu cinema’s transition from mythological themes to social realism. The study investigates the narrative techniques and ideological underpinnings of the film, especially its engagement with nationalist sentiments and the reformist role of characters like Chawdhrayya. </em></p> <p><strong>Outcome: </strong><em>The study highlights how Malapilla navigates between caste identities and nationalist ideology, revealing the tension between tradition and modernity. It finds that while the film promotes caste reform, it paradoxically erases authentic Dalit representation through the casting of Kanchanamala in the lead role. </em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestions: </strong><em>The analysis concludes that Malapilla offers a compelling example of early Indian cinema’s role in shaping public discourse on caste and nationalism. However, it also suggests that the film's reformist stance is limited by its reluctance to authentically depict Dalit characters. Future studies on cinema’s social impact could benefit from further exploring the intersection of media representation, caste, and political movements during India's colonial period.</em></p> Gudavalli Parimala Christiana Copyright (c) 2023 Gudavalli Parimala Christiana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/161 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Unveiling Corruption in Vikas Sharma's Media Revolution 2030: A Critical Analysis https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/162 <p><strong>Aims: </strong><em>This paper critically evaluates how corruption is represented in Vikas Sharma's Media Revolution 2030: In Modern Times, and its role within media, educational institutions, and broader political systems. The very aim of research is to reveal the complex form corruption takes as described in the novel in the mechanisms of media technology in both the perpetuation and resistance towards corruption within Indian society.</em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approach: </strong><em>Using a literary-critical approach, the paper conducts thematic analyses of Media Revolution 2030. Sharma's work focuses on character development, narrative structure, and the subtler aspects embedded in the story as it unfolds-between which historical and contextual analysis with real-world media corruption is drawn for comparison. Textual evidence from the novel serves as proof of this study.</em></p> <p><strong>Outcome: </strong><em>The deconstruction indicates that Sharma's corruption is deep in nature, with the media as a tool for the corrupt elite and, on the other hand, as a means of resisting it. The media penetrates all sectors of education and religious organizations. </em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><em>Media Revolution 2030 presents an overwhelming criticism of how the media serves to escalate corruption within various societal segments. The dystopian view of 2030 from the novel thus presents a cautionary tale for attaining media accountability so that advancing escalations in corruption are not reached. The new study advises further research into the possible use of citizen journalism as a remedy against corruption in mainstream media.</em></p> Riya Deshwal Copyright (c) 2023 Riya Deshwal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/162 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Futility of Sensuous Pleasures as Depicted by Bhagavd Gita and Paulo Coelho’s Novel Eleven Minutes https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/163 <p><strong>Aim:</strong><em> The present research paper is a comparative study of futility of sensuous pleasures as described by Bhagavad Gita verse 22 of chapter five to the experience of Maria. Maria is a Brazilian girl and the lead character of the present novel. She wanders around various places in search of better fortune and sensuous pleasures. She spends around one year as a sex worker for the sake of earning quick money. Maria engages herself in this profession to buy a plot of land and a comfortable house for her family in Brazil.</em></p> <p><strong>Methodology and Approach:</strong><em> The qualitative research has been employed in the present research paper. Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho has been selected as a primary text for this purpose. </em></p> <p><strong>Outcome:</strong><em> The novel presents many incidents of Maria’s life. She realizes that her clients are searching the inner peace rather than physical pleasures. They could not get this inner peace either in their work or in their families. Many of them just want to talk and share their inner conflicts with her. </em></p> <p><strong>Conclusion and Suggestion:</strong><em> Maria realizes that earning money by such a menial profession is physically and mentally absorbing her. Finally, she deserts this profession and decides to spend her life with her lover Ralf. These incidents of her life give her a realization that love is the only inspirational source of life and all physical pleasures are temporary and worthless.</em></p> Nagendra Prasad Maurya Copyright (c) 2024 Nagendra Prasad Maurya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/163 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000