4 - They Turn Your Dream to Shame: The Other Side of Globalism in the Novel "Asthi Phool"

Alpana Mishra, one of the leading writers of contemporary Hindi literature, has discussed a wide range of social issues in contemporary India in her works. Many of these have focused on the problems faced by married women living in urban areas such as juggling work and family, economic independence, distorted marital relationships, etc. as major themes.

A sharp contrast to these works is her latest novel, Asthi Phool (Bone Flower). The novel depicts the independence movement, the plight of the indigenous Aadiwasis and the trafficking of women, in addition to the political and social issues of Jharkhand and the feudal districts of Haryana, where the number of women is extremely low due to female feticide. According to Mishra, the work, based on meticulous research, took five years from conception to completion. It is a profound 'political and social novel' and has made Mishra known as an 'unconventional writer'.

　This paper presents Mishra's new attempt at a comparative analysis of representations of urban areas in contemporary India, which are rapidly developing and benefiting from globalization, and local/rural areas, which are marginalized, excluded or even exploited. Globalism, as Mishra portrays it in this novel, only gives more power to the powerful and further marginalizes the weak. The author's warning about the consequences of excessive globalization is discussed, focusing on the representation of 'consumed' women in urban areas, especially those who have left rural areas with dreams.