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"Navigating Tradition: The Quest for Identity in Rama Mehta's 'Inside the Haveli'
CHITTAMPALLI RADHIKA Dr.V.S.V LAXMI RAMANA
Abstract:
This research article explores the theme of identity formation within the confines of traditional societal structures, as depicted in Rama Mehta's novel "Inside the Haveli." The novel is set in the conservative, patriarchal environment of an Indian haveli in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where the protagonist, Geeta, struggles to reconcile her modern, educated perspectives with the traditional roles expected of her. This study employs a literary analysis to examine how Mehta portrays the quest for personal identity against the backdrop of rigid cultural norms and the complexities of gender expectations. Through Geeta's experiences, the paper discusses the broader implications of cultural and societal constraints on the development of individual identity. The analysis also highlights Mehta’s narrative techniques in portraying the nuanced ways in which a woman can navigate and, at times, subtly challenge these norms. This article contributes to the understanding of how literature reflects and critiques the conflicts between tradition and modernity in the search for self-identity.