Representation of East in Ruskin Bond’s The Room on the Roof

Abstract

This research examines the cultural issue in Ruskin Bond's The Room on the Roof in which he represents Indian culture. The novel represents post-colonial period when different cultural prospects were redefined and reviewed. Bond fictionalizes the eastern culture comparatively exalted and social rather than the western culture. It created a platform where minor and marginalize cultures also were studied. The western beliefs regarding the east is associated with vulnerable but the novel considerably values particularly Indian culture which one is representative to the eastern culture. Bond attempts to fictionalize the concept of cultural studies and presents eastern culture through this novel. He believes that eastern culture is in favor of entire humanity. He presents that Indian culture is warm place for humanity. He tries to justify that English materialistic culture cannot provide happiness; whereas Indian culture gives deeper happiness.

The research examines how western stereotypical outlook of the east has changed. This novel reveals that cultural study in modern world change a singular perspective of the westerners. The west society interacted with global cultures and the multicultural study also emphasizes on marginalized cultures. It is new experience of the westerners who observes others` culture from their respective perspective. This experience is reflected in this novel in which Rusty English representative character observes the Indian culture and understands other.