Inquisition Of The East-West Encounters In Romen Basu’s Candles And Roses

Abstract

his paper attempts to investigate how Romen Basu, in his novel, Candles and Roses, exposes the widespread scepticism over the incongruous components in Eastern and Western values. Basu handles this delicately and draws attention to the treasures of Indian spiritual history even if he has no intention of confronting the West. Through the encounter between Monique and Pramila in the novel, he brings the West and the East together. Samir, Pramila, and Monique are characters created by Basu that combine elements of Indian and Western society. While proud of her French heritage, Monique does not advocate for the supremacy of her culture, contrary to what Samir and Pramila are perceived to be doing. She seeks inner strength and calm, and she believes that the qualities of the East can assist her in achieving both. Instead of mourning the loss of specific ideals in one culture, she wants to gain from these two. Pramila is unable to comprehend Samir’s request to extend his contract in France for an additional two years. She is aware of his relationship with Monique, but she is unaware of his infatuation with the West.