Quest for Harmony in Anita Desai’s ‘Diamond Dust, A Tragedy,’ ‘The Rooftop Dwellers,’ and ‘Winterscape’

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Author: Dr. Rashmi Lohchab

Keywords: protagonist, psychoanalyst, existentialist, confrontation, self-actualisation.

Abstract: This paper explores the portrayal of the protagonists’ quest for harmony in Anita Desai’s short stories ‘Diamond Dust, A Tragedy’, ‘The Rooftop Dwellers’, and ‘Winterscape’. In Diamond Dust and Other Stories, Desai presents a panoramic range of characters from different walks of life, reflecting their existential journeys and emotional responses to life's challenges. These characters are seen as sensitive individuals, often cherishing a utopian vision of life. However, confrontation with stark realities often induces neurosis. Characters with regressive tendencies succumb to social isolation and lose their authentic selves. In contrast, strong-willed and mature individuals face adversity with confidence, engaging with life rather than retreating. Through such portrayals, Desai emphasizes self-realization, self-assertion, and the importance of forging meaningful human connections in the journey toward harmony.

Article Info: Received: 26 May 2025; Received in revised form: 21 Jun 2025; Accepted: 25 Jun 2025; Available online: 30 Jun 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijeel.4.3.20

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