Author(s): Pooja Shankar

Abstract: Life itself is comprised of many favorable and unfavorable situations. Our lives are hampered by unfavorable circumstances, and these adverse situations change the progress of our life into a decline. Because of factors like caste, poverty, and other comparable issues, we frequently suffer identity crises in our daily lives. But without attempting to change the situation, it is impossible to envision a successful era and identity for us. Having an optimistic outlook on life provides us the strength to confront and altar the circumstances. Literature provides numerous real life examples of such situations, which make us question the assumption that just because there is a human, there must also be humanity. Literature also makes us aware of the conditions under which a person must struggle to survive and to protect his rights. However, only a person with an optimistic attitude on life is capable of enduring this struggle. Bandhu Madhav’s short story ‘The Poisoned Bread’ makes us aware of the helplessness of life but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, which always brings a ray of hope to our lives. This paper will talk about destitution, optimism, and resistance for identity in Bandhu Madhav’s ‘The Poisoned Bread’ and will convey a valuable message that humans must have humanity.

Keywords: Caste, Humanity, Identity, Poisoned Bread, Optimism, Resistance.

Article Info: Received: 14 Sep 2022; Received in revised form: 02 Oct 2022; Accepted: 06 Oct 2022; Available online: 10 Oct 2022

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.75.21