The Constructs of Space in Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s “The Young Couple”, Anita Desai’s “Games at Twilight” and Ismith Khan’s “The Red Ball”

Abstract

Space as socially constructed per Lefebvre (1991), structures narrative perspectives on belonging. This work examines the construction of space in Anita Desai's “Games at Twilight”, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's “The Young Couple” and Ismith Khan's “The Red Ball”. It seeks to answer the question: How do spatial considerations relate to belonging, disillusionment and resilience in Anita Desai's “Games at Twilight”, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's “The Young Couple” and Ismith Khan's “The Red Ball”? It is hypothesized that while places often present conceived possibilities of hope and success, a mismatch between conceived and lived spaces produces concrete constraints that the protagonists struggle to overcome.  Using the Spatial Theory by Henri Lefebvre, the paper reveals that space plays a significant role in the visions, aspirations and actions of individuals as they have to show resilience in coping with the challenges they face when they change locales. The research explores the construction and experience of space in the texts, highlighting themes of nostalgia, migration, displacement, alienation, empowerment and cultural adaptation. This paper stretches the ongoing conversation on how characters navigate disillusionment and resilience in postcolonial regions; and how it impacts identity (re)formation