Volume IV Special Issue VI August 2024

Name of Author : Dr. Lalita Pandey

Title of the paper : Existentialism and Diaspora in Arun Joshi’s the Last Labyrinth

Abstract: The Last Labyrinth written by Arun Joshi is a remarkable work for which the novelist received the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award. The novel deals with existential quest and Diaspora feelings of the protagonist. It explores the dilemma of existence in the life of the hero Som Bhaskar, a millionaire industrialist and his incessant urge to understand the labyrinth of life. The novel is a quest for meaning. It explores the heros search for meaning of life .The novel deals with detachment principles and the longing for the essential of life in the mystical urge of the narrator hero, Som Bhaskar. In the end of the novel we are given an indication of his spiritual affirmation and one hopes that he will remain steadfast in future. He still dangles between skepticism and faith. Man and his life have always been changed through the ages. Many changes have taken place with time. The modern times have greatly affected the life of man in many ways. The impact of technological avalanche, mutual distrust, animosity, violence, materialistic aggrandizement, and self-delusion has greatly affected the growth of modern man and left him in a void, looking for faith and solace. Man lives by opportunism, treacheries, cowardice, hypocrisy, and wit. These negative attributes of human conduct compel him to commit blunders that ultimately disturb his mental peace and harmony and produce discomfort, depression, and frustration. The socio-cultural factors have weighed heavily on the minds and imaginations of writers and thinkers all over the world. They have examined the values and assumptions of the society in which they live.

Keywords : Existentialism, Diaspora, Labyrinth, Quest for Meaning, Detachment

DOI :

Page Number : 45-49