Exploring Family Ties in Preeti Shenoy's A Hundred Little Flames

Abstract

Even though family relationships have always been beneficial to people of any age, changes in the world have created a split between the younger and the older generations. While the elderly can use their experiences to guide, provide insight, and support the young, the young can be helpful to their elders. If the benefits of close inter-generational relationships are well understood, there is a lot for each individual in society. That the relationships need to be further continued based on mutual aid, understanding and belief of gain for both need to be done is an essential aspect. Using Preeti Shenoy's novel, A Hundred Little Flames as a significant source, this study takes an approach to analyse intergenerational interactions. It discusses issues like how important traditions and customs are, open and healthy relations between generations, and the way modernisation affects old ways of living. It discusses aspects like open communication, respect and understanding, adjustment, spending quality time, love and support and personal growth and development. The only person who truly understood and respected Gopal Shanker was his grandson, Ayan. Both of them became closer as a result of their experiences and understanding. Gopal Shanker was Ayan's mentor and wise confidant, who guided him to overcome all obstacles in life and taught him valuable lessons in life. Jairaj, however, was a self-centered person with a few hidden agendas and was only worried about selling the ancestral property. After his grandfather's sudden death, Ayan boldly cuts off ties with his father and settles in the ancestral home. Being a city bred individual and accustomed to the fast urban life, Ayan adapted to the serene rural life and started a new phase of his life in the ancestral home. This study analyses the intergenerational relationships and conflicts from a Social Action perspective.