Mrityunjay: A Study In Affective Narratology

Abstract

Mrityunjay by Shivaji Sawant  originally written in Marathi language is a thought-provoking retelling of Mahabharat from the point of view of Karna, the man of feelings. Along with Karna, the retelling highlights the point of view of Kunti, Karna’s mother; Vrushali, Karna’s wife; Duryodhan, Karna’s greatest friend; Shon, Karna’s Brother and Krishna. Thus, entire novel contains a compilation of interesting monologues making this work unique in its style of narratology. Second remarkable aspect of the novel is, all the characters are driven by feelings and emotions.  Karna’s continuous question on his identity, his mental trauma after listening to the word sutputra, Karna’s dialogue with Kunti, Krishna and Duryodhan reveal his mental state. The narrative structure is such that it creates emotional connection with the reader. And Karna becomes immortal. Thus, it is an emotional connection which rules the experience. Thirdly, entire plot of the novel is structured in a way that it develops through monologues of the characters. So, the narrative technic, characters, chain of incidents and emotions have interwoven the story of Mrityunjay creating a human universe determined by emotions and feelings. That is why it becomes interesting to study Mrityunjay through affective narratology.  In this paper, a humble effort is made to study affective pattens of the main character’s personality.

As Wordsworth has rightly pointed out in his famous preface to Lyrical Ballads:

For all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; but though this be true, Poems to which any value can be attached, were never produced on any variety of subjects but by a man who being possessed of more than usual organic sensibility had also thought long and deeply. The artist is not just anybody, but an exceptional person with deep thoughts, and the work of art is marked by spontaneity and strong emotions.