THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS: QUEST FOR MODERNITY

AND SENSE OF ALIENATION

BY:
( PREKSHA PALIWAL, UTKARSH AJARIA )

INTRODUCTION
This paper aims to highlight the issue of modernity as presented in Kiran Desais
The Inheritance of Loss. Post-colonial India had been in the dilemma of balancing
between the old traditions and cultures, and modernity as a tool for progress and
development.
Modernity is about the attitude towards change. It is about freedom from the
clutches of religious norms or any other external power and using ones own
rationality and wisdom to make decisions and lead a meaningful life. A modern
person would be the one who uses his rationality to adapt to the changes by
qualitatively choosing what is good for him from the proposed changes and from
the past old traditions.
In post-colonial India, modernization was confused with westernization- wearing
western clothes, blindly imitating their manners and lifestyle- all these were done
to become modern. While those against westernization, found themselves to be
set against modernization, development and progress. This misconception of
modernization has been taken up in the novel and Kiran Desai has demonstrated
the phenomenon through various characters- retired judge, the cook, Gyan, Lola
and Noni, Sai, Mrs. Sen. The story revolves around how these people developed
such a wrong notion of modernization, how they reacted to this notion and how
it led to the eventual loneliness, identity loss, a sense of guilt in the characters,
who throughout the narrative, brood over their past feeling nostalgic of what
had been left behind in their quest for so-called modernization - which was
basically just the imitation of western lifestyle.

BACKGROUND
Set in 1980s, against the backdrop of the agitation for Gorkhaland in the north
eastern hills of Darjeeling, close to the borderland with Nepal, the novel is a
narrative of lives of wide range of characters. The lives of these characters are
interwoven into one another. It covers the past and present of these characters,
and along with it the social, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity. Jemubhai
Patel, a former judge lives with his teenaged granddaughter Sai in Cho Oyu, a
mouldering house in Kalimpong, looked after by their cook, Panna Lal. Sai, an
anglicized girl, who has no one to see her, the death of her parents in a car
accident, is thus sent to her maternal grandfather, the retired judge. Biju, the
cooks son, who goes to US to fulfil the wish of his father, who hopes for a better
living and more wealth. But his life becomes worse there, as an illegal immigrant,
switching jobs and running from the INS. Gyan, an Indo-Nepali, Sais tutor and
lover, who gets influenced by the Gorkhaland movement and later finds himself
guilty for putting Sais life in danger. Saeed, Bijus friend in US and HarishHarry, Bijus employer, who have adapted themselves to the change in lifestyle
and the accompanied difficulties of holding their values and cultures there. The
two sisters, Lolita and Nonita (Lola and Noni), living in Mon Ami, take pride in
leading western lifestyle and their preferences for everything that is considered
modern. All these figures are the inheritors of loss, in terms of dislocation of
place, wealth and progress. Caught between two worlds, the characters negotiate
a new social space; caught between two cultures.
WESTERNIZATION FOR MODERNITY AND PROGRESS
Throughout the novel, it is seen in the nature of all the characters who awe
everything western as a harbinger of modernity and thus, adopt the western
culture and lifestyle to become a part of the modern world. In a quest to
differentiate themselves from the other lot, improve their status and get to the
mirage of modernity, they uprooted from their own identities to become rather
Westernized individuals, which later resulted into an identity crisis.
Jemubhai, after being educated from the Cambridge University and securing a
position with the ICS as Chief Justice, develops a distaste for everything that is
Indian, forgets the traditional ways of Indian life, is no more interested in his
marriage to an Indian woman and even feels ashamed at the ordinary lifestyle and
religious practices of his own family. He later abandons his wife for the same
reason and thus, brings shame to his family. He continues to live his false modern

lifestyle throughout his life. And as a result, he becomes an arrogant, stern, angry
old man.
He had forgotten he had a wife. Well, he knew, of course, but she had drifted
away like everything in his past, a series of facts that no longer had relevance.
This preference for westernization in his decision for Sais education. He couldnt
afford to send Sai to a convent school, so instead he chose a personal tutor for Sai
to teach her everything from science to Shakespeare.
Ones had to hire a tutor for youa lady down the hill, cant afford a convent
schoolwhy should one be in the business of fattening the church . . . ? Too far,
anyway, and one doesnt have the luxury of transport anymore, does one? Cant
send you to a government school, I suppose . . . youd come out speaking with the
wrong accent and picking your nose.
The cook, too, is shown to be influenced by the westernization and in his quest,
he sends his son to US, a land of opportunities, where more wealth and better
lifestyle is being promised. His inclination to everything western is seen when he
first meets Sai whom he thinks have come from foreign land but is disappointed
on learning that she had been in Dehradun. Also, he takes pride in the fact his
father has always served the Englishmen of ICS. He considers a downfall when
he is appointed to the service of an Indian, Jemubhai.
The cook had been disappointed to be working for Jemubhai. A severe
comedown, he thought, from his father, who had served white men only.
He bears the arrogance of his master with the underlying hope of becoming
modern once his son comes and takes him along to US. Though he gets inspired
to modernity and science, which he doesnt clearly understand but he does not
stop believing in religious practices and superstitions.
The cook would talk to the chemist, carefully, trying not to upset the delicate
balances of the field, for he believed in superstition exactly as much as in
science.
Lola and Noni- the changed names show their attempts to being western, the two
sisters living in the neighbourhood of the judge, were also living a westernized
lifestyle to mark their status since Lolas daughter was in Britain working for
BBC. They took pride of their education since only few women of their times
were given the luxury of education. Despite their problems with the finances,

which incites Noni to take Sais classes, they still continue with their expenses to
live a virtual modern lifestyle- food, clothing, vegetables and plants in gardeneverything should be western.
CHASING DREAMS TO DEVELOPED NATIONS FOR PROGRESS AND
STATUS ELEVATION
Both the judge and Biju, are being shown to migrate to foreign nations on the
desires of their fathers who want them to progress with changing times and
migration is seen as a way to attain modernity and elevate their status in society.
From the very beginning, Jemubhais father has been keen on educating his son,
the only male heir of their family. He sends his son to Bishop School at the
expense of his sisters and later, college on scholarship for western education and
later, is so keen to send his son to Britain for a position in ICS that he arranged
his sons marriage with the daughter of rich Bomanbhai Patel, who promised to
fund the expenses of the travel. Even Bomanbhai does so, to have a son-in-law
connected to the West which meant a step forward in the social ladder and his
daughter being the wife of one of the powerful men of India.
This eagerness to send his son abroad shows Jemubhais fathers association to
migration with power acquisition. He, in fact, wanted to see his son on the judges
seat in the same high court where he produces false corrupt witnesses and disrupt
the judiciary system. His son at higher rank than him will eventually elevate his
own status and position in society.
Jemubhai, himself, shared his fathers dream with the same zeal and believed that
securing an important position within the imperial government would promise a
better dignified life ahead. But the false grand image of Britain, he had carried
with himself all the while was broken the minute he encountered the country.
Plainness and poverty was a reality of this country too.
The England in which he searched for a room to rent was formed of tiny gray
houses in gray streets, stuck together and down as if on a glue trap. It took him
by surprise because hed expected only grandness, hadnt realized that here, too,
people could be poor and live unaesthetic lives.
There, in England, Jemubhai lost his self, his identity had taken a backseat
somewhere within him. People making fun of his nationality, no one to talk, he
became more and more conscious of his identity. He took refuge in solitude,
avoided any social contact, and got himself glued to his work and studies to keep

calm down his misery and the feeling of shame he felt all the time for who he
was- Indian with incorrect pronunciation, his looks and smell too made him
conscious.
Thus Jemubhais mind had begun to warp; he grew stranger to himself than he
was to those around him, found his own skin odd-colored, his own accent
peculiar. He forgot how to laugh, could barely manage to lift his lips in a smile,
and if he ever did, he held his hand over his mouth, because he couldnt bear
anyone to see his gums, his teeth. They seemed too private. In fact, he could barely
let any of himself peep out of his clothes for fear of giving offence.
Biju goes through a more miserable fate in America. An illegal immigrant,
switching jobs and even, accommodation every now and then, he felt more
miserable in this foreign country. He longed to go back to his country, but stayed
there only for his fathers wish and hope for an opportunity awaiting him. While,
on the other hand, his father back in India, boasts off his wealth and new job. His
father imagines him to be in a comfortable house with all the modern gadgets
providing comfort. Like the judge being unacceptable in England, Biju
experiences the challenges of acceptance in US given his origins and lack of
qualifications.
While, on the other hand, Saeed, his friend from Zanzibar, arranges for a green
card by false marriage to a girl. He plans to stay there at any cost. He likes the
way he is being treated as a star back at home. He enjoys the stardom he gets in
his home country and encourages the false image those people create of his life
though the reality is totally opposite of what they think.
Harish-Harry, owner of Gandhi Caf, the last employer of Biju in America
represents the capitalist mindset, Indians in America had fostered to be in the
business and make profits. The name of the restaurant chain was completely in
contrast with what the owners were practicing- exploiting their own fellow
countrymen for their monetary gains- providing them shelter in the kitchen but
then paying them only a quarter of the minimum wage. Since, there were
hundreds more illegal immigrants in America seeking job, they didnt bother to
look after their staff. But he is himself traumatized when he faces his daughter
who bereft of all the traditions and family values, makes him taste his own sour
medicine of selfishness.
"You go, girl!" he said, trying to rise, instead, to the occasion of his daughter
being American. "You GO, gurllll!!!" But that didnt work either. "I didnt ask to

be born," she said. "You had me for your own selfish reasons, wanted a servant,
didnt you? But in this country, Dad, nobodys going to wipe your ass for free."
Lola had also sent her daughter to US. Unlike Biju, she had managed to get a
secured job in BBC. Lola doesnt get tired of describing her daughters splendid
life there.
Every two years Lola would visit London, come back with Knorr soup packets
and Marks and Spencer underwear. Pixie would marry an Englishman and Lola
would almost die with delight. "Everyone in England wants an Indian girl these
days!"
Her only threat being Mrs. Sen, whose daughter is working for CNN in US. A
competition would which was a better place to live- England or America- whose
daughter was having more income and leading a better lifestyle.
Mrs. Sen, undefeated by the heat, started up the road to Mon Ami, propelled by
the latest news from her daughter, Mun Mun, in America: she was to be hired by
CNN. She reflected happily on how this would upset Lola. Hah, who did Lola
Banerjee think she was? Putting on airs . . . always showing off about her
daughter at the BBC. . . .
NOSTAGLIA AND ALIENATION
Kiran Desais westernized characters in the novel are portrayed to be living with
either guilt or longing or both for the past. In several instances of the novel, they
are shown to be revisiting their past, good and bad memories, reminding
themselves what had led them to reach where they are today, feeling alienated
from the very place and country they belong to.
Judge, who quite strictly follows his western ideologies and practices is shown to
be feeling nostalgic and brooding over his past. On arrival of Sai, he remembers
the time, when he left for his education in Britain, leaving behind his young wife
after only few weeks of marriage. During his stay at Cambridge, he feels terrible
at the cold food being given to him and misses the unconditional love and care of
his mother who had, quite lovingly, packed food for his long journey, but he had
thrown it out of disgust, feeling ashamed of eating the Indian food in the presence
of his cabin-mate.
After a spate of nights lying awake listening to the borborygmus of his halfempty stomach, thinking tearfully of his family in Piphit who thought him as

worthy of a hot dinner as the queen of England, Jemubhai worked up the courage
to ask for a proper evening meal.
By the end of the novel, judge, who quite strictly follows his western ideologies
and practices is shown to be feeling guilty. The guilt may have arisen out of grief
for the loss of his beloved cat and he feels that it has been the result of his past
misdeeds to his wife and family that such a misfortune has befallen on him.
Yet he thought of his family that he had abandoned. He thought of his father,
whose strength and hope and love he had fed on, only to turn around to spit in
his face. Then he thought of how he had returned his wife, Nimi.
From Cambridge, the sense of alienation has been breeding inside the judge
throughout his life. He didnt want to be with Indians but he was not taken by the
British either. He consciously alienated himself from all connections within his
country by taking a house away from his family- Cho Oyu- a house that gave him
the feeling of foreigner within his own country. He only had his pet dog Mutt
for company. It was only for this dog that he had any feelings in his heart and he
totally depended to it to overcome his loneliness.
Biju, cooks son, who was already leading a miserable life in US as an illegal
immigrant, yearned to go back home to his father. This zeal to go back home grew
stronger when he came to know about the insurgency in Kalimpong by the IndoNepalese. He felt miserable for not being with his father at the time of need and
just wanted to know about the well-being of the cook. At this particular time, he
is shown to go back in the memory lane, to his village, when he was looked after
his grandmother and play with his friends. He missed his motherland, freedom he
used to feel at home, no fear and running away from INS. He was unable to adjust
himself in this country and compromise his values.
he remembered that as a child hed been part of a pack of boys who played so
hard theyd come home exhausted. Theyd thrown stones and slippers into trees
to bring down ber and jamun; chased lizards until their tails fell off and tossed
the leaping bits on little girls; theyd stolen chooran pellets from the shop, that
looked like goat droppings but were so, so tasty with a bit of sandy crunch. He
remembered bathing in the river, feeling his body against the cool firm river
muscle, and sitting on a rock with his feet in the water, gnawing on sugarcane,
working out the sweetness no matter how his jaw hurt, completely absorbed. He
had played cricket cricket cricket. Biju found himself smiling at the memory of
the time the whole village had watched India win a test match against Australia

on a television running off a car battery because the transformer in the village
had burned out.
Sai, too had a feeling of alienation. Being educated in a convent school, her
anglicized manners didnt go well with everyone. Even her parents would meet
her once a year. After their death, she was left alone and thus became quieter in
nature. Despite being good at heart, she hardly could make friends of her age in
Kalimpong. She only had company of elders like Lola, Noni, Father Booty and
Uncle Potty for friends. At Cho Oyu, her grandfather didnt talk much and only
the cook could give her a little company.
CONCLUSION
Throughout the narrative, we see how characters upheld wrong notion of
modernity and held themselves aloof from the rest of the people. By the end, this
misconception and arrogance only caused anguish and made them more
vulnerable at crucial times. An ambivalent attitude towards modernity to hold on
the good of the past and also, adapt to the good that new changes are bringing.
Blindly, following everything new out of awe and a basis of modernity. One need
to use their rational to keep safe the treasures of traditions, family, and also to
enjoy the fruits of progress at the same time. Kiran Desai has maintained an
ambivalent attitude to westernization- she has shown the miseries of the people
swayed by it and how it has created distances among the people sharing same
land but at the same time, it has also brought people of different religious and
ethnic backgrounds together- Saeed and Biju.
Lola and Noni became the easy targets of the GNLF boys. They consider it to be
their fault when they didnt look through differences and maintained a gap with
the ordinary people to stand out in society. Since, there was no one with whom
judge had maintained cordial relations and didnt even bother to help the people
when he could have, no one was there in his suffering after he lost his beloved
pet, Mutt. He repents at all the misdeeds he had committed in his lifetime but still
vents out his anger at the cook out of his acquired nature. Sai continues to long
for courtship and love and blames herself since she had been selfish in her own
grief and didnt care about others after Gyan had left her. The cook realizes that
status and money doesnt matter, its only presence of close and dear ones that
matters at crucial times finally, meeting his son after so many years and
sufferings.

REFERENCES
Desai, Kiran. The Inheritance of Loss. Canada: Penguin Group, 2006. Print.
Bharvad, Rajesh. The Inheritance of Loss: A Story of Colonized Minds and the
Subsequent Impacts of Immigration and Westernization. International Journal
of Linguistics and Literature. May, 2014. (Vol.3, Issue 3).
Panavelil, Abraham. Uprooting and Re-rooting: Post-Colonial Dilemmas in
Kiran Desais The Inheritance of Loss. Bhavnagar, Gujarat: Ignite Publishing.
February, 2012. Print. ELT Voices- India (Vol.2, Issue 1).
Stoicon, Adrena Elena. Competing Western Hegemonies in Kiran Desais The
Inheritance of Loss. Humanicus, 2012. Print. (Issue 7).