Exploring Canine Connections: Unraveling Human Bonds, Loyalty, Attachment, and Character Development in Anuradha Roy’s Masterpiece ‘The Earth Spinner’

Abstract

Human beings are dependent on animals in different ways; many animals have been known to sacrifice their life to the owners. One popular animal that lives as a closer companion to the human world is the dog which can be domesticated easily. Among domesticated animals, dogs are generally connected with loyalty and security; they are also represented as catalysts that highlight the finest and worst elements of relationships. Many writers highlighted the characteristics of dogs and used them in their works for several reasons. Anuradha Roy, a noted novelist in contemporary literature effectively combines symbolism and imagery in ‘The Earth Spinner’which shows a strong passion for dogs, both in her professional and personal lives. Applying the Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1969) this article addresses the significance of the dog in three ways. The first one is the symbolism of loyalty and security; the second one is the exploration of the bonding between the dogs and humans and the last one is to facilitate character development. A dog character in the novel appears as Tashi  but plays a pivotal role in making all-round characters important; when Tashi becomes Chinna to another owner it loses its dynamicity. The Communal Riots and religious occurrences negotiate complicated interactions among people and illuminate the novel's numerous topics and Animals symbolism expresses the awareness of ethical considerations about conservation and coexistence which are also highlighted in this paper.