BYE BYE BLACKBIRD

Anita Desai is a reputed Indo Anglican woman novelist. In her novels the focus is on the inner climate. They deal with the cultural displacement of the protagonists. Her protagonists are acutely aware of their nothingness in the modern set up. They feel that they are not worth anything in society. Their sense of futility is extremely appalling.

        Desai's 'Bye Bye Blackbird' is a fine novel. It presents the theme of alienation and East- West clash. It is a study of human relationships also. This third novel of Desai deals with the travels of Indian immigrants in England. It describes the emotional trauma and disturbances experienced by Indian immigrants in England.

        The major theme of 'Bye Bye Blackbird' is alienation. All the three major characters- Dev, Sarah and Adit suffer from alienation. Dev is a young man who comes to London to study economics. He stays there with Adit and Sarah. He is not happy to see the humiliation of Indians at the hands of Britishers. Due to this he begins to suffer from alienation. Adit shows that he loves England too much. In fact this show shows his mental agony. Actually he is suffering from his suppressed lov3e for India. He always remained an alien. Sarah also feels alienated. As she has married an Indian, she is cut off from her English social circle.

        East- West encounter is clearly visible in 'Bye Bye Blackbird'. Here the fascination for the East has been described by Dev and Adit. Here love for England has been demonstrated by their love for English society and its economic and social freedom. Here hate is described by the behaviour of English women and children. In fact they misbehave with Indians and Asians. At the same time people of London hate Indians but they love Kamasutra, Indian Yogis and Sanskrit literature.

        'Bye Bye Blackbird' is an authentic study of human relationships. It deals with the relationship between the persons of different cultures like the east and west. It deals with friendship also. The relationships of husband- wife and of father- daughter have also been presented.

        Thus Desai's 'Bye Bye Blackbird’ is a fine novel. It deals with many existential problems. Its title is also suitable.