Dangers in the Desert: Jean Arasanayagam’s “The Sand Serpentsâ€
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/asiatic.v6i1.241Abstract
This essay analyses Jean Arasanayagam’s depiction of domestic labour abroad (through the consciousness of Nanda during a taxi ride) in “The Sand Serpents.†Unlike the western dream, migration to the Middle East is a means of investment in Sri Lanka for a domestic help. The ultimate dream is to return home. The contrasting images of openness and constriction bring out Nanda’s responses to homeland and desert land; success and failure. The renewed perspective of home privileges normalcy and routine over money and excitement. The essay discusses areas of collision between the workspace of a domestic maid and the private space of the employer that condition power relations and behaviour patterns. The language of communication is rendered irrelevant. Ultimately the story affirms Nanda’s self-knowledge and rootedness in her own homeland.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyrights of all materials published in Asiatic are held exclusively by the Journal and the respective author/s. Any reproduction of material from the journal without proper acknowledgement or prior permission will result in the infringement of intellectual property laws.