Poetics of the vanquished: A comparative study on Indian and American sports literature

Abstract

This thesis, “Poetics of the Vanquished: A Comparative Study on Indian and American Sports Literature” explores the complex narrative techniques used by contemporary American and Indian writers to depict the experiences of sportsmen and sportspeople who have failed. The goal of this research is to examine the various ways that failure is portrayed in sports literature, paying particular attention to how these representations affect gender roles, national identities, and the growth of individual characters. Eight novels and eight autobiographies in all have been carefully chosen to serve as the foundation for this comparative study. By means of a comprehensive analysis of specific literary pieces, the study pinpoints recurrent themes and motifs associated with failure and scrutinises their impact on the broader conversation surrounding masculinity, femininity, identity, and nationalism. This study's comparative methodology enables a sophisticated comprehension of the social and cultural subtleties present in both Indian and American sports literature. Through an examination of writers' approaches to the issue of failure, the thesis sheds light on the intricate relationship that exists between sports narratives and larger socio-cultural contexts. It attempts to add to the body of knowledge on sports writing by shedding light on the function of failure as a literary device. This investigation illuminates the significant influence sports literature may have on influencing and mirroring societal perceptions, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of the complex interrelationship between sporting victories and the anguish of failure.