A Multidisciplinary Research Journal - Devanga Arts College

Doris Lessing and Sivasankari: Dialectics in Cultural Stands and
Feminist Contexts
M. Karthigai Ganesan
Associate professor of English
Devanga Arts College (Autonomous)
Aruppukottai
“Culture” a word with very broad connotations is closely interwoven with social
relationships. It gives direction and momentum to social changes. Social systems are directly or
indirectly the creation of cultural values and any change in the values makes its effect felt upon
social institutions like marriage, family, religion and so on Culture is not something static
because changefulness is inherent in it. Graham Wall defines culture thus.
Culture is an accumulation of thoughts, values and objects. It is
the social heritage acquired by us from preceding generation
through learning as distinguished from the biological heritage
which is passed on to us automatically through the genes. (Bhushan Vidya 760)
Culture enlarges itself by adopting different cultural modes. If an individual does not understand
the new culture, he or she suffers in his or her own life.
This paper attempts to investigate how Mary in Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing and
Nirmala in Sivasankari’s Over-dose Inspite of their traditional up-bringing waver in their lives
because of their unadaptability to their new found culture.
8 ISSN 0976-8130
Both Lessing and Sivasankari write novels and create characters in the background of
their own respective culture. Their men and women are almost traditional products and their
psychologically acquired new freedom leads them to an imbalance, resulting in the destruction of
their family lives. The Neo-acculturation does not seem to suit their own environment and
mental dispositions. Instead of creating “New Woman” out of them, the practices make them
feeble and disoriented. In other words, a psychological disposition or the satisfaction of
Hierarchy of needs’ as-Abraham Maslow suggests – is imperative for men and women to reach