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ISSN 2278-9529
Galaxy: International Multidisciplinary Research Journal
Bi-Monthly Refereed and Indexed Open Access eJournal
www.galaxyimrj.com
, The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 8, Issue-VIII, July 2017 ISSN: 0976-8165
Recreation and Representation of History in Subhash Chandran’s A
Preface to Man
Sandhya Suresh V.
Research Scholar,
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit,
Kalady.
Ernakulam, 683574.
Article History: Submitted-03/06/2017, Revised-15/07/2017, Accepted-20/07/2017, Published-31/07/2017.
Abstract:
The paper titled “Recreation and Representation of History in Subhash
Chandran’s A Preface to Man” seeks to analyse how well history has been represented in
Subhash Chandran’s phenomenal novel A Preface to Man (2015). This is a generational
story as it explores the lives of three generations of Ayyatumpilli family: Narapilla, his
children, and grandchildren. The novel progresses through the letters written by
Jithendran alias Jithen to his wife Ann Mary during their six-year courtship.
Thachanakkara is a microcosm of Kerala or rather the entire world. Subhash Chandran
places the characters in the past thereby making them a part of the history. The novel
informs the readers of the major events, twists, and turns that occurred in the history of
Kerala. It also presents a vivid picture of the caste system which prevails in Kerala, and
India as a whole. The author effectively captures the socio-political conditions of Kerala
from the pre-independent era to the present.
A Preface to Man was originally published in Malayalam as Manushyanu Oru
Aamukham in the year 2010. It has been translated into English by E.V Fathima and was
published in 2015. The novel won most of the prestigious awards like Kerala Sahithya
Akademi Award, Kendra Sahithya Akademi Award, Odakkuzhal Award, Vayalar Award,
and so on.
Keywords: History, Communism, Caste, Memory, Past.
“Man is a history-making creature who can neither repeat his past nor leave it
behind; at every moment he adds to and thereby modifies everything that had previously
happened to him” W. H. Auden (quoted in Sharpe 188). Subhash Chandran’s A Preface
to Man faithfully exemplifies this statement of Auden. His characters are trapped in the
mysterious workings of history and culture. The novel was originally published in
Malayalam as Manushyanu Oru Aamukham in the year 2010. Undoubtedly, history plays
www.the-criterion.com
109
Archive: http://www.the-criterion.com/archive/
Contact Us: http://www.the-criterion.com/contact/
Editorial Board: http://www.the-criterion.com/editorial-board/
Submission: http://www.the-criterion.com/submission/
FAQ: http://www.the-criterion.com/fa/
ISSN 2278-9529
Galaxy: International Multidisciplinary Research Journal
Bi-Monthly Refereed and Indexed Open Access eJournal
www.galaxyimrj.com
, The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 8, Issue-VIII, July 2017 ISSN: 0976-8165
Recreation and Representation of History in Subhash Chandran’s A
Preface to Man
Sandhya Suresh V.
Research Scholar,
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit,
Kalady.
Ernakulam, 683574.
Article History: Submitted-03/06/2017, Revised-15/07/2017, Accepted-20/07/2017, Published-31/07/2017.
Abstract:
The paper titled “Recreation and Representation of History in Subhash
Chandran’s A Preface to Man” seeks to analyse how well history has been represented in
Subhash Chandran’s phenomenal novel A Preface to Man (2015). This is a generational
story as it explores the lives of three generations of Ayyatumpilli family: Narapilla, his
children, and grandchildren. The novel progresses through the letters written by
Jithendran alias Jithen to his wife Ann Mary during their six-year courtship.
Thachanakkara is a microcosm of Kerala or rather the entire world. Subhash Chandran
places the characters in the past thereby making them a part of the history. The novel
informs the readers of the major events, twists, and turns that occurred in the history of
Kerala. It also presents a vivid picture of the caste system which prevails in Kerala, and
India as a whole. The author effectively captures the socio-political conditions of Kerala
from the pre-independent era to the present.
A Preface to Man was originally published in Malayalam as Manushyanu Oru
Aamukham in the year 2010. It has been translated into English by E.V Fathima and was
published in 2015. The novel won most of the prestigious awards like Kerala Sahithya
Akademi Award, Kendra Sahithya Akademi Award, Odakkuzhal Award, Vayalar Award,
and so on.
Keywords: History, Communism, Caste, Memory, Past.
“Man is a history-making creature who can neither repeat his past nor leave it
behind; at every moment he adds to and thereby modifies everything that had previously
happened to him” W. H. Auden (quoted in Sharpe 188). Subhash Chandran’s A Preface
to Man faithfully exemplifies this statement of Auden. His characters are trapped in the
mysterious workings of history and culture. The novel was originally published in
Malayalam as Manushyanu Oru Aamukham in the year 2010. Undoubtedly, history plays
www.the-criterion.com
109
