INTERSECTIONS OF POSTCOLONIALISM, ECO-CRITICISM, AND FEMINISM IN ARUNDHATI ROY'S NOVELS: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Arundhati Roy’s novels, The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, offer a profound critique of interconnected systems of oppression, including colonial legacies, environmental degradation, and gendered marginalization. Through an integrated framework that combines postcolonial, eco-critical, and feminist theories, this study investigates these topics in order to provide a thorough understanding of the intricacies that are present in Roy's narratives. The research demonstrates how Roy's characters transit liminal spaces, reject institutional oppression, and recover agency within socio-political and ecological contexts by evaluating current literature. This is done in order to highlight various aspects of Roy's characters.

          The assessment of the relevant literature indicates a number of notable gaps, one of which is the low number of intersectional studies that talk about the relationship between environmental justice, gender, and caste. In addition, the dearth of comparative studies that place Roy's work within worldwide literary traditions and the absence of interdisciplinary techniques are also factors that impede the depth of the critiques that are now available. Within the context of contemporary conversations about sociopolitical activism and environmental justice, this study highlights the significance of filling these gaps by adopting holistic approaches to Roy's novels. It also emphasises the relevance of these books to these talks.

          The stories that Roy tells go beyond the confines of literature, combining storytelling with activism and posing a challenge to established power systems via nuanced portrayals of voices that are marginalised. This study not only provides a synthesis of existing research but also makes suggestions for future approaches, such as enlarged theme analyses and interdisciplinary techniques, with the goal of enhancing the comprehension of Roy's contribution to literature and worldwide discourses on justice and equality.