What is it about?
This work explores emotional pain and mental struggle in Maya’s unhappy marriage in Cry, the Peacock, showing how Anita Desai portrays women’s inner lives, loneliness, and the psychological cost of silence and neglect in marital relationships.
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Why is it important?
This study contributes to feminist literary criticism by analyzing marital discord and psychological trauma in Anita Desai’s Cry, the Peacock. It highlights the emotional neglect faced by women in patriarchal marriages and its impact on mental health. By foregrounding Maya’s internal conflict, the paper offers insights into the intersection of gender, psychology, and domestic relationships in Indian English literature. It is relevant for researchers in literary studies, gender studies, and postcolonial discourse. The work helps deepen understanding of Desai’s narrative strategies and encourages further exploration of women’s voices in South Asian fiction.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps readers see that literature is not just about stories—it’s about the emotional and psychological realities we often overlook, especially in women’s lives. Marital disharmony and mental distress may seem like private struggles, but they reflect broader social issues that impact many. Through Maya’s journey in Cry, the Peacock, I wanted to show how fiction can give voice to silent suffering. If nothing else, I hope this article makes you reflect on how we understand relationships, emotional needs, and the importance of empathy in our lives and literature.
Vijaya Reka
School of Engineering and Technology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, Trichy
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Perspectives on marital disharmony and frustration in Anita Desai’s cry, the Peacock, January 2025, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0261873.
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