A Discourse on Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy From Socio-Political and Historical Perspectives

A Suitable Boy is set in post-independence Indian life of 1950s. Having gone through present work, we also come across with Seth's opinion on secularism. Keeping his feet in the History, Seth has woven the texture of this novel from various perspectives like socio-political and historical. Seth has very exquisitely delved historical, political and social discerns embedded in the society. Bunch of burning and glaring questions inviting speculation are set forth before the reader. Under the social, political and historical mantle problems of identity personal, religious and national are discernible in this bulky work. A Suitable Boy is considered a social satire and globally a social history. Mostly issues displayed by the novel are dealt with national Indian politics in the period leading up to the first post- independence national election of 1952, Hindu-Muslim animosity, the status of lower princes and landlords, empowerment of Muslim women, academic affairs etc. Through the protagonist Lata of the novel A Suitable Boy Seth, nourishing Indian sensibility, shows the triumph of reason upon passion. Despite Love is essential but it cannot be ultimate goal of life. The novel preaches one thing that passion should be reformed reasonably.