The Interplay of Self and Isolation in Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand

Abstract

This study aims to examine how psychological dynamics unfold amid emotional and social isolation stemming from the trauma experienced by some characters in Geetanjali Shree’s novel Tomb of Sand. Donald Woods Winnicott, a British psychoanalyst, theorises the concepts of the ‘True Self’ and ‘False Self’, which are useful as a powerful framework for understanding how individuals balance authenticity with societal demands. According to Winnicott, these patterns emerge in early childhood as external pressures prompt individuals to conceal their natural impulses and present a more socially acceptable version of themselves – the False Self. This tension is further complicated by isolation, which Winnicott sees not only as loneliness or separation but also as something that can protect and nurture a person’s True Self. Using Winnicott’s theories as a guiding framework, this paper closely analyses Tomb of Sand, focusing on the characters of the novel, Ma and Beti. Their contrasting choices and emotional journeys reveal an ongoing struggle between meeting social expectations and staying true to oneself. The study uses close reading and the application of Winnicott’s psychoanalytic theory to interpret the novel, aiming to show how isolation can serve both as a defense and as a space for personal growth. The analysis finds that both Ma and Beti undergo significant psychological changes due to their experiences of isolation. Ma, despite all the trauma she endures, can reconnect with her True Self later in life, while Beti’s path remains more conflicted, demonstrating how deeply the False Self can take hold. Ultimately, this paper highlights isolation as both a shield and a source of renewal in the development of one’s identity. A psychoanalytic analysis of the secondary characters, including Bade, Bahu, Rosie Bua, and Sidhartha, remains beyond the scope of this study and may be pursued in future research.