Conflict Between the Traditional and Modern Values of an Indian Society in Smoke and The First Party

Conflict Between the Traditional and Modern Values of an Indian Society in Smoke and The First Party

'Smoke' and 'The First Party' display two points of view on the

continuing conflict between traditional and modern values. In Indian

culture, tradition holds the highest status of importance possible,

second only to, or perhaps next to, religion. Indian traditions and

culture is one of the oldest in the world, arising from 5000 BC.

Perhaps this is why modern Indians find it so hard to comply with

traditional rules and regulations a they were set in and for the

people and civilizations of an ancient time.

But indeed there still exist beings in the forms of grandparents and

great - grand parents who try and uphold their sanskars and paramparas

(traditions and cultures) and defend them against those who desire

change. Perhaps this is why India, though one of the fastest growing

economies in the world, is finding it hard to change when it comes to

matters of customs and beliefs.

The two stories 'Smoke' and 'The First Party' have an ongoing

conflict, but I feel they both represent different sides of the same

story. They both present to the readers, women who are trying to cross

the boundaries into the modern and liberal world of the west. Their

reactions and struggles are varied, with one longing to escape while

the other scared and aggressive at the change. This difference can

also be seen as the struggle for change versus the defiance against

change.

I think the difference in attitudes towards tradition is most

evidently shown in the attitudes of the central characters in the two

stories. Shubha in 'Smoke' is introduced with an ...

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...tive and dramatic words. Words like 'vulgar',

'disgusting', and 'shameful' are in a sense rather disturbing. Her

descriptions are vibrant with colour - 'claws dipped in blood',

'sarclet'- as opposed to the dry rather drab colouring in 'Smoke'.

Perhaps this kind of language is used to show the aggressive views and

opinions of a generation obsessed with tradition.

In 'Smoke' Shubha's descriptions are deep yet tiring. Words like 'the

oppressive, tormenting afternoon' and 'hollow neutral vacuum' are

quite dreary and listless. Also in this story I did not find many

words that sparked action. All the action and movement in this story

is forced and habitual an so it looses its effect. There is not much

colour. When flowers are talked about in the beginning, they are 'dry'

and 'dead'. Lifeless perhaps like her own existence.