Chapter Three
Sociological Perception
Human development has many aspects like physical, intellectual, emotional, social and moral. Of these aspects of development, social and moral are unique in the sense. They are applicable for human beings only. Emotional and moral development is related to social development. This novel The Foreigner shows the gradual development of the main character Sindi Oberoi. Joshi shows his development is emotional, intellectual, social and moral level. Everything is interrelated. This novel is filled with sociological elements.
Sociology is the scientific study of human society and its origins, development, organizations, and institutions. It is a social science which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity, structures, and functions. A goal for many sociologists is to conduct research which may be applied directly to social policy and welfare, while others focus primarily on refining the theoretical understanding of social processes. (Wikipedia)
Sociologists differ in their understanding of the concept of society. In this novel, as a sociologist, Joshi analyses Sindi Oberoi character and projected it in a beautiful way. Usually Joshi projects the male character in his novel caught between tradition and modernity. Joshi also tries her level best to analyze the critical situation in life with the contemporary society. Though Sindi Oberoi begins to react over her physical response at first, later she started responding to the sociological perspective. Sociological approach begins with the relationship with the society. The human being cannot separate themselves from the society. “Man is by nature a social animal” (Goodreads). “Socialization is the process by which human infants begin to acquire the skills necessary to perform as a functioning member of their society, and is the most influential learning process one can experience” (Wikipedia). In this text the author inspires to see sociological aspect through the everyday life of Sindi. Beginning with the origins of the discipline, the author examine how sociology helps to make a sense of traditional view such as family, deviance, culture and contemporary issues such as immigration, health care, gender and sexuality. He feels a kind of loneliness which makes him step into the relationship.
socialization, the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group (or society) and behave in a manner approved by the group (or society). According to most social scientists, socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is a central influence on the behaviour, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as of children. (Encyclopedia Britannica Online)
Sociological study leads to ask so many questions regarding the society. C. Wright Mills, an American sociologist says "Whatever sociology may be, it is the result of constantly asking the question, what is the meaning of this?"(Engled101) The title of this novel itself suggests a lot of questions. It constantly raises the questions who is deceived and why he is deceived? While readings this novel, it explores provocative sociological questions and takes us into debates about key social and theoretical topics.
Arun Joshi’s first novel The Foreigner (1968) comes out as a milestone in the field of Indian Novel Writing. Here he does not unveil the suspense of first scene until the two - third of the novel. It revolves around the individual character of Sindi Oberio and his quest for identity. Sindi as a narrator-hero reveals the story with the contrivances of autobiography. He tells us a story about his childhood, adulthood, his relationship with June, June and Babu’s relationship, death of Babu, consequences of Babu’s death, his adventure in India, nullification of his quest of belongingness and right action among others. His quest can be compared with a journey as Tapan Kumar Ghosh rightly observes, “The novel records his [Sindi’s] movement from illusion to reality, from darkness to light and from death’s twilight kingdom to the new shores of life” (14). Sindi Oberoi is a son of Kenyan - Indian father and an English mother. Unfortunately he loses the parental shelter at the age of four. After their death he takes shelter at his uncle’s place, his uncle plays a role of on “anchor” for Sindi, but he also departs before his adulthood.
For the academic purpose Sindi goes to England. There he tries to learn not only his academic syllabus but with that the real meaning of life. For that he willingly joins the job of dishwasher in Soho. It is there only he comes in the contact with Anna. After having in-depth adultery with her, he comes in contact with Kathy, at once of Anna’s party. She, after enjoying all types of relations leaves him alone- to upkeep her matrimonial bondage.
During one of the summer vacation Sindi joins a job at a library in Ireland where he finds time enough to read and think. There he gets in touch with a Christian priest, who tries to help him in finding an answer regarding his quest.