2. Content
The book- Voices in the CityThe book- Voices in the City
The author- Anita DesaiThe author- Anita Desai
Characters of the storyCharacters of the story
About the storyAbout the story
3. The book- Voices in the
City
Publisher: Peter Owen Ltd.Publisher: Peter Owen Ltd.
Publication date:1965Publication date:1965
ISBN :ISBN :0-7206-9542-20-7206-9542-2 // 978-0-7206-978-0-7206-
9542-79542-7 (UK edition)(UK edition)
Language: EnglishLanguage: English
4. The Author- Anita Desai
Born – In Mussoorie, India in 1937Born – In Mussoorie, India in 1937
An novelist and Professor of Humanities atAn novelist and Professor of Humanities at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
She has received many prestigious awardsShe has received many prestigious awards
for her novels.for her novels.
Her works like Fire on the Mountain, ClearHer works like Fire on the Mountain, Clear
Light of Day, The Village By The Sea, InLight of Day, The Village By The Sea, In
Custody, Fasting-FeastingCustody, Fasting-Feasting
Her latest novel, The Zigzag Way, is set inHer latest novel, The Zigzag Way, is set in
2020t ht h
-century Mexico-century Mexico
5. Characters of the story
Three siblings- Amla, Nirode, Monisha,Three siblings- Amla, Nirode, Monisha,
ArunArun
Dharma- a painterDharma- a painter
David GunneyDavid Gunney
Jiban- Monisha’s husbandJiban- Monisha’s husband
Aunt LilaAunt Lila
Jit NairJit Nair
Sonny- a minor characterSonny- a minor character
6. About the story
Based on the life of the middle classBased on the life of the middle class
intellectuals of Calcuttaintellectuals of Calcutta
It is an unforgettable story of a BohemianIt is an unforgettable story of a Bohemian
brother and his two sisters caught in thebrother and his two sisters caught in the
crosscurrents of changing social valuescrosscurrents of changing social values
In many ways the story reflects a vividIn many ways the story reflects a vivid
picture of India's social transition - a phasepicture of India's social transition - a phase
in which the older elements are notin which the older elements are not
altogether dead, and the emergent onesaltogether dead, and the emergent ones
not fully evolved.not fully evolved.
7. About the story
The novel describes the bitter effects ofThe novel describes the bitter effects of
the urban living upon an Indian familythe urban living upon an Indian family
Brought up in luxury and magnificence byBrought up in luxury and magnificence by
an over indulgent mother, Nirode settlesan over indulgent mother, Nirode settles
down in Calcutta and becomes engrosseddown in Calcutta and becomes engrossed
in its bohemian life, while his elder sister,in its bohemian life, while his elder sister,
Monisha lives out a servile existenceMonisha lives out a servile existence
within the rigid and stiff confines ofwithin the rigid and stiff confines of
a traditional Hindu family.a traditional Hindu family.
8. About the story
Amla sees the city as a monster, NirodeAmla sees the city as a monster, Nirode
sacrifices everything for his career, and Monishasacrifices everything for his career, and Monisha
cannot bear her stifling existence in thecannot bear her stifling existence in the
household of a wealthy old Calcutta family.household of a wealthy old Calcutta family.
This creation of Anita Desai is set in theThis creation of Anita Desai is set in the
backdrop of contemporary Calcutta.backdrop of contemporary Calcutta.
The central character Nirode is aThe central character Nirode is a
journalist here, so the readersjournalist here, so the readers
see the place with his eyes andsee the place with his eyes and
different corners of the city has comedifferent corners of the city has come
up with a journalistic point of view.up with a journalistic point of view.
9. About the story
Symbolism is being portrayed artistically inSymbolism is being portrayed artistically in
this storythis story
Several important incidents have beenSeveral important incidents have been
described through symbolismdescribed through symbolism
