Catharsis of migrant mother and daughter in Preethi Nair’s Gypsy Masala

Abstract

Catharsis, a concept originally developed by the renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle in his monumental work Poetics, authored in 335 BCE and still influential in contemporary editions, pertains to the audience's purging of fear and pity. Within a transnational framework, the notion of catharsis among migrant mothers and daughters is imbued with the profound release and healing experienced during their shared journeys and challenges, addressing a notable gap in South Asian women's literature. In this article, we aim to delve into the various manifestations of catharsis experienced by migrant mothers and daughters within a transnational setting. To achieve this goal, a textual analysis of Gypsy Masala by Preethi Nair, a British author of Indian origin, will be undertaken. This novel poignantly captures the arduous migration process and the struggles faced by the migrant mother, Sheila, and her adoptive daughter, Evita, as they move from India to London. By employing an Aristotelian reading lens to interpret Gypsy Masala, this paper will investigate Nair's portrayal of the inner conflicts faced by the female characters in an unfamiliar environment, viewed through the prism of catharsis. Four primary aspects of catharsis depicted in Gypsy Masala include fear-induced catharsis, repression-induced catharsis, hostility-induced catharsis, and agony-induced catharsis, all carefully interwoven into the narratives of the novel's migrant mother and daughter.