IN CUSTODY: A STUDY OF LITERARY WAVERING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROMINENT CHARACTERS OF THE NOVEL

Abstract

The novel In Custody is entirely different from other novels of Anita Desai. Desai is known for depicting mental picture and psychological upheavals of her characters. In Custody, the novel depicts action both at physical and mental levels. There are too much physical movements in the novel. The characters move from one place to another place quite frequently. The prominent characters depicted in the novel are imprisoned either by force or by their own will. Deven is in the custody of Nur. Nur is in the custody of his wife Imtiaz Bibi. Murad is in the custody of his Urdu magazine Awaaz. Imtiaz Bibi is in custody of her unethical ambition. Siddique is in custody od attaining his richness. The characters of the novel have surrendered their freedom. Deven was not interested to indulge himself in the task of taking interview of Nur. But his childhood friendship with Murad compelled him to accept this difficult task. He had his domestic engagements and academic activities to perform. Deven was not trapped by Murad but as a cunning businessman he used the name of Nur to tame Deven. Deven’s opposition for this task became feeble. For Deven, Nur’s name was enough to take him in custody. Deven was a great admirer of mighty Urdu poet Nur. Deven adored him like a living god. Secondly Deven was a lover of Urdu. He learnt Urdu from his father during his childhood in Lucknow. After the premature demise of his father, Deven was taken to Delhi by his mother. Only in Delhi he learnt Hindi.

      …. his first language when he was a child in the half-         forgotten, unsubstantial city of childhood, and which was still his first live. The glow was also caused by pride, of course, at being asked to contribute a piece by the editor of what he took to be a leading Urdu journal.