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.
