Reimagining the Self: Identity, Culture, and Human Bonds in the Fiction of Anita Nair

Abstract

This paper examines the themes of identity, culture, and relationships in the fiction of Anita Nair, a significant voice in contemporary Indian English literature. Drawing upon textual analysis and employing feminist and postcolonial theoretical frameworks, this study explores how Nair's characters, especially women, navigate their identities within socio-cultural constraints. Focusing on Ladies Coupé, Mistress, and Eating Wasps, the paper analyzes how Nair interrogates traditional norms and gender roles while portraying the resilience of individuals seeking self-definition. Relationships, both nurturing and oppressive, are shown as critical spaces for identity negotiation and cultural resistance.