Prachi Rout
Abstract
This
research delves into the duality of the archetype The Great Mother, as
conceptualized by Erich Neumann, through a comparative analysis with the
representation of Goddess Kali in Anita Desai's novel Voices in the City.
Neumann's interpretation of The Great Mother encompasses a broad spectrum of
maternal archetypes, ranging from nurturing and generative to destructive and
devouring forces. This duality reflects the complexity of maternal figures as
both life-giving and life-destroying, embodying the paradox inherent in the
Great Mother archetype. Desai's portrayal of Kali, a multifaceted deity revered
in Hindu tradition, serves as a vivid literary exploration of this duality.
Kali's multifaceted persona symbolizes similar themes of fertility, destruction,
and transformation within the urban landscape of postcolonial India. This
duality is reflected in Nirode’s evolving perception of Calcutta, where his
initial feelings of alienation and fear gradually shift to a deeper
appreciation of the transformative power inherent in destruction. By examining
the thematic and symbolic intersections between Neumann's psychological
framework and Desai's narrative depiction, this research aims to illuminate how
Voices in the City reflects and reinterprets the dual nature of The Great
Mother through the lens of Kali. This comparative analysis seeks to enhance our
understanding of the archetypal Great Mother by highlighting how literature can
both echo and transform psychological concepts, offering new insights into the
interplay between mythological imagery and narrative form.
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Published: July 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 07]