The False Detachment of Sindi Oberoi in Arun Joshi's "The Foreigner”

Abstract

Arun Joshi is known as one of the leading figures among post-independence Indo-Anglian novelists. He has written 5 novels and for one of his novels he has won Sahitya Academy Award in1983. Joshi takes his themes from the contemporary social, political, economical, historical and psychological problems facing the people. The defeated, exploited underdogs also find a place in his fiction. His novel "The Foreigner” presents the realistic philosophy of Karmyoga. The novel gives a message to the younger generation of his time that it is not possible to escape from the truth or hard realities of life. To confront them is the only solution. In this novel Joshi's purpose, has been to portray not only the positive aspects of India but negative aspects also. Joshi main concern has been the problems resulting from the confrontation of two cultures and even different ways of life, different social, economic and ethical value systems even within one culture. This novel may be interpreted as a satire on man's exploitation by man in free India; on the corruption of our society; population explosion and increasing poverty and hunger. Joshi got his education in the west but he understands well the social fabric of the society of free India. He has never lost his cultural and spiritual roots.