Introduction:
It is necessary to point out that some Indian writers of English novel as well as some other compositions have shown the importance of Indian culture and civilization in comparison to the culture and civilization of some countries of the Western countries of Europe. There are some other novelists and other writers who have tried to show the synthesis of the culture and civilization of India and the West. Raja Rao in his present novel “The Serpent and The Rope” has shown the synthesis of the culture and civilization of India and the West in a highly impressive manner.
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| Major Theme of the Novel, The Serpent and The Rope |
Rama as the Symbol of Indian Tradition:
After reading the story of the novel “The Serpent and The Rope” we can easily say that Rama (Ramaswamy) is the real symbol of Indian tradition. He was born in an orthodox Brahmin family of South India and he followed the culture and traditions of India in his life out - and - out. For example, Rama returned to India from France to perform the last rites of his father who had recently died. He went to Benares with his Little Mother and his step brother, Sridhar to do the needful. It makes clear that Rama was a true follower of the culture and traditions of his country (India).
Rama was a sensitive Indian Brahmin who had deep faith in the synthesis of all religions and cultures. He went to France for his studies and married a young French girl whose name was Madeleine. Their marriage shows the union of the East and West. He tried to link the French Cathars with the Indian religious thoughts. His marriage shows no importance of geography because he lived a happy married life with Madeleine. Rama is a symbol of Indian tradition.
The Comparison and Contrast between India and the West:
As we study the story of the present novel we find the comparison and contrast between India and the West. The same idea of comparison and contrast is described briefly and separately in the following lines.
If we take the case of India both as a metaphysical and a geographical area, we find similarity with the country of the West. India is regarded “The Guru of the World and the sages have no history, no biography.” If we study the story and the history of the plains of the holy river, Ganga, we find truth, joy as well as sorrow in a great measure. India is famous in the world for the high principles of truth and compassion. Gandhiji shows the best example of truth, non - violence and kindness. In the same way, Rama also shows his deep faith in the same great virtues of the culture and religion of India. The countries of the West lack in these virtues. If we take up the example of the West, we find a great difference. Raja Rao has shown it mainly in the character of Madeleine who could not adjust with her husband, Rama out - and - out, so they were separated after their divorce. M. K. Naik says, “The West for Rama is mostly France. Though he has given us authentic glimpses of England, of Cambridge and of London during the coronation - it is obvious that his first love in France, which he seems to know intimately.”
Rama and Madeleine as an Encounter and Synthesis:
As we study the present novel “The Serpent and the Rope” we find a clear example of an encounter and synthesis in the character of Rama and Madeleine. The same idea is discussed in these lines:
Their marriage shows the union of two contrary citizens of India and France coming together by virtue of their marriage. They were different by their citizenship but they became united by their true love and happy marriage. The same idea has been well expressed by a critic in these lines. “In the marriage of Rama and Madeleine, two contrary world - views come together, and the novel is a study of that encounter. In spite of their sharply differentiated attitudes towards life, Ramaswamy and Madeleine - the central figures have one striking similarity as characters. They are both intensely self - conscious about the cultures they represent.” Both, Rama and Madeleine interpreted their actions with their national and cultural difference. Rama was proud to be an Indian.
When Madeleine showed some anger about social or political injustice Rama called it to their differences in their temperament. In the same way when he felt affection for Catherine, he talked to her like an elder brother. Then he said to her, “I acted no doubt - from an Indian instinct ... Left to himself the Indian would go on tying ‘Rakhi’ to every woman he met, feel her elder brother, protect her love ...” Once Madeleine had told him if she could really love him like an Indian.
Rama had good knowledge both of India and France but he did not find any difference between the two. It is clear from the fact that he loved two women, Savithri an Indian and Madeleine as a French woman. He noted both similarity and difference between East and West. Both the rivers, Ganga and Seine were the same as well as different to him.
The Element of Religion and Learning:
It is necessary to point out that both Rama and Madeleine had different attitudes to the problems of marriage, religion, learning and knowledge. They also had different attitude about life and death. For example, Rama was a true Brahmin with deep faith in his old culture and traditions. On the other hand, Madeleine was a true Catholic in the beginning but later she turned into a devoted Buddhist.
Later on Madeleine embraced Buddhism so devotedly that she observed 41 days fast and refused to drink even water and honey. It is clear that Rama did not seem to be agreed to her such transformation. She had decided to take divorce from him and she was in a hurry to complete the legal formalities for her divorce. She went to the extreme to suggest her husband to marry an Indian girl for the sake of his happy life and freedom. Both were much interested in the study and knowledge of history. Rama was a research scholar and Madeleine was a history lecturer in France. In this way, both of them were learned persons.
Conclusion:
After making a serious study of the story of the present novel, we find that “The Serpent and The Rope” clearly shows both the synthesis and the contrast between the cultures and traditions of India and the countries of the West. Raja Rao showed that Rama was a staunch Brahmin from South India but he fell in love and married a French girl Madeleine. Both of them lived a happy married life for some time. Madeleine who was a staunch Catholic turned into a devoted follower of Buddhism. She also wished that Rama should marry an Indian girl for his happy life and freedom after his divorce from her.
