Analysis Of Female Protagonist Of ‘Antarip’ An Assamese Novel Bybhabendra Nath Saikia From Theneurotic Needs Perspective Given Bykaren Horney

Abstract

Antarip is an Assamese novel written by Dr.BhabendraNathSaikia. The story in this novel is based on an affluent family of Assam in post-World War era. Women’s Struggle for her position in her family and the conflict that arises from it is beautifully depicted in this novel. The present paper is an extensive analysis of the female protagonist of this novel. The analysis is based on the neurotic need given by Karen Honey and how the female protagonists in this novel resolve their inner conflicts. The analysis shows how Menka’s silent struggle in the patriarchal society lead her to change her personalityunconsciously from moving towards people to moving against people. The inconsistency in Menka’s behaviour and thought process could be clearly seen in the self-talk and the resulting conflicts that she faced is analysed in view of neurotic need theory that is given by Karen Honey. To make conflict more bearable, Menka had to make changes in her attitude from moving  towards people to moving away from people.