Table of Contents
This is the beginning.
Physique
References
Original: The study concluded that the experiment was successful
Paraphrased: The research determined that the trial was a success
This is an initial statement.
The Inheritances of Loss is a novel by Karen Desai. The Judge, who has been a victim of both racism on the inside and outside, becomes more westernized and resentful of India during his study in England. The English were seen as wealthy and highly educated in postcolonial India. This appealed young adults who struggled with their caste placement. The Judge was one of those who was successful in school and was able study abroad in England. In addition to fueling the Judge’s ego, he also uses his travels to further cement his desire to appear superior and be English. This dual consciousness separates him from his family while alienating him from the English.
BodyThe Judge resentment towards his cultural identity dates back before his arrival in England. The Judge felt defeated by caste because of his bitterness towards his father “…a barely literate man”. The Judge realized that there was no way to move up in the caste system, but an education from the West could boost his status and reputation. The Judge knows that if he looks more Western the better off he will be, and he can thus avoid the caste-based system. The Judge’s resentment increases the longer he stays in India because it is not the place he wants. This causes him to be a burden at home and makes his relationship with his father difficult. He is ashamed of his father because he does not have any interest in the West. After he’s experienced Indian and English Culture, the Judge will be impacted by his preconceived notions.
As the Judge lives in England, he changes his thoughts and character when he encounters poverty and discrimination. His resentment towards India is deeper. When the Judge arrives to England, he’s “…amazed when he sees the sights …”. But “…didn’t realize that there are people in England who live unaesthetic and poor lives. The character is expressing that even though he wasn’t impressed by England, it was better than India.
The Judge is more comfortable in England, where there may be some racism. He would not feel as at home in England. The Judge becomes unhomed after a short time in England. He feels caught between cultures, and is not comfortable in his own home …”.
He understands that England is not his place, not because it’s where he wants to be, but simply because he’s Indian. In both India and England, the Judge is not accepted as an Indian. The Judge’s unfriendly behavior causes him to become more self-hatred. “…”He became stranger to himself, than to others, found that his skin was oddly colored, and his accent was peculiar”, he said. He began to feel self-conscious and conscious of the way others perceived him. In India he had a lot of respect for his intelligence. But in England he’s only seen as an outsider. Though the Judge yearns for England, he is disappointed and has a negative perspective on India.
The Judge’s embarrassment and newfound indifference towards his family and ethnic background intensifies after returning to India. Desai, who only calls the Judge Jemu during his stay in England, is a good example of how the Judge has changed his attitude towards India. This is a further example of how the Judge has been Westernized in both his persona and character.
Jemu hates his own country as he adapts to Western culture. After his visit to England the Judge’s Indian feelings were more hostile. He hated Indians. He hated …” and worked hard to be English. He was never able to get rid of the feeling. It affected his behavior. Social skills are eroded as he becomes less able to establish human relationships. The Judge, deprived of happiness and fulfillment in his life, struggles to find love for anyone. While the Judge had a great time in England, the experience left him bitter and cynical.
While the Judge remains resentful of his uneducated, poor family, his attitude towards himself and his culture changes throughout the book. The Judge was eager to become Westernized, but once in England he felt a lack of homeliness. In reality, he was not a native Englishman and did not wish to be a resident of India. The Judge was no longer ashamed of Indian heritage, but was now homeless and all alone. The Judge’s hatred for India grows as he travels to England and returns, until he is a grumpy, old man who has no compassion.
Works Cited
Both original and paraphrased versions of “Works Cited” have the same meaning and spelling.
Desai, Kiran. The Inheritance Of Loss New York’s Grove Press published a work in 2006. Print.
Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: An User-Friendly guide 2nd ed. Routledge published a book in 2006 in New York. Print.
