Between Resisting and Reaffirming: How the Body Matters in Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand

Abstract

The consideration of body as a space allows for the investigation into the manner in which the body is constructed and perceived. Research has shown that bodies acquire meanings that transcend the sphere of biology. This research aims to present an intersection between body studies and spatial literary studies. Through the analysis of the novel Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, the paper claims that body of the protagonist Ma functions as a space to perform twofold functions. On one hand, the space of her body, permits Ma to resist the familial and societal roles imposed on her. On the other hand, it becomes a liberative space wherein Ma reaffirms her identity as an emancipated woman. Through a textual analysis of Ma and her interactions with the other characters, this paper seeks to evaluate the space of the body. It relies on the theoretical perspectives on the concept of agency and the body by Adriana Zaharijevic. The paper thus contributes to the larger discourse on the body by offering spatial dimension to body studies.