Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
English Literature
Minor
Humanities
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Julie Cyzewski
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Raja Rao Kanthapura stirs rhetorical discourse among scholars on effectivity through his infused Kannada/English writing style that both Indian and English readers can engage with and acknowledge the British-colonialist violence set within the novel. This essay criticizes existing scholarship that analyses through European rhetorical analysis such as reader-response lenses; and argues for research on Dhvani, Rasa Sutra and Puranic theories that support Rao’s aesthetic language and his rhetorical purpose. Kanthapura’s language hybridizes English prose with Indian poetics and invites both Indian and Western readers to engage with resistance against colonialization in a narrative that refuses Indian identity erasure. The novel’s language relates with western poetry without losing native linguistic identity; so, Rao can advocate against colonial violence; yet critics refuse or question his decisions, raising ethical concern or overlooking cultural choices. However, Rao’s created language proves anyone can find meaning in language and stories they do not understand if first, they can create a sense of self and understanding in poetics.
Fall Scholars Week 2025
English and Philosophy Panel
Included in
Aesthetics Commons, European Languages and Societies Commons, Indo-European Linguistics and Philology Commons
Accessibility and Conformity: English Prose and Indian Poetry
Raja Rao Kanthapura stirs rhetorical discourse among scholars on effectivity through his infused Kannada/English writing style that both Indian and English readers can engage with and acknowledge the British-colonialist violence set within the novel. This essay criticizes existing scholarship that analyses through European rhetorical analysis such as reader-response lenses; and argues for research on Dhvani, Rasa Sutra and Puranic theories that support Rao’s aesthetic language and his rhetorical purpose. Kanthapura’s language hybridizes English prose with Indian poetics and invites both Indian and Western readers to engage with resistance against colonialization in a narrative that refuses Indian identity erasure. The novel’s language relates with western poetry without losing native linguistic identity; so, Rao can advocate against colonial violence; yet critics refuse or question his decisions, raising ethical concern or overlooking cultural choices. However, Rao’s created language proves anyone can find meaning in language and stories they do not understand if first, they can create a sense of self and understanding in poetics.