The Writer As Critic: Essays in Literature, History and Culture

Book Details

• Author: Jasbir Jain

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2011

• ISBN: 9788131604175

• Pages: 336

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

The Writer as Critic spans more than a century and a half of India's literary history, tracing the evolution of indigenous theoretical concerns and exploring how writers have engaged with the significant issues of their times. From language and social reform to narratology, reality, and realistic presentation, these writers define their intellectual positions while reflecting on time, space, and the concept of self.

This collection of essays includes translated works from various Indian languages, many for the first time, and features manifestos, prefaces, autobiographical extracts, and fictional representations of history to capture the intensity of personal and collective experiences. The book delves into themes of dislocation, exile, and belonging, exploring political and philosophical aspects related to the refugee, immigrant, and the cultural theories of time and space.

Ranging from Derozio to Garg, the essays map the trajectory of Indian literary and theoretical movements, offering a nuanced understanding of the literary landscape. By tracing the intellectual contributions of these writers, this book not only highlights their theoretical positions but also the transformation of literature in India through history.

Key Features:

• Exploration of literary and theoretical history from Derozio to Garg

• Includes translated essays from Indian languages, some for the first time

• Covers themes of social reform, narratology, reality, and more

• Focuses on exile, refugee experiences, and the politics of belonging

• Offers a counter-discourse through cultural theories of time and space

About the Author
Jasbir Jain is the Honorary Director of the Institute for Research in Interdisciplinary Studies (IRIS), Jaipur. A Sahitya Akademi Writer-in-Residence (2009) and Emeritus Fellow (2001-2003) at the University of Rajasthan, she has received numerous awards, including the SALA Award (2008) and IACS Award (2003). Jain is an expert in indigenous narrative strategies and theoretical positions, with a deep interest in Diaspora Studies. A former K.K. Birla Fellow, she has also translated works from Punjabi into English and serves as the Series Editor for Writers of the Indian Diaspora.