Abstract

A Tree Without Roots by Syed Waliullah (originally LalShalu) is a significant  literary piece of Bengali literature. Which discusses themes of displacement,  identity crisis, and social alienation during post-partition of Bengal. This paper analyzes the text from a Marxist perspective, reviewing the class  struggle, economic condition, and the social view from political clash. By filtering the character’s socio-economic conditions, we can realize their inner  struggles, such as self-identity, identity crisis, and the aftermath of the partition. This paper explores how Waliullah’s sense critiques the essence of the capitalist  system, the oppressive behavior of the ruling class & power, & the dehumanizing  effects. This text shows class conflict, alienation, and human suffering in the materialistic  society. It explores how materialistic thoughts & practices shape human lives.

Introduction

A Tree Without Roots, which was published in 1956 & produced by Syed  Waliullah. A tree without roots is often considered one of the most significant literary pieces  in Bengali literature. Which discussed the aftermath of the Bengal partition. The novel explores the emotional and psychological dilemmas of characters as  they face rapid changes during socio-political changes.

The central theme of the novel is loss of identity, which is an identity crisis. It bears the significance of the text title “A Tree Without Roots.”. Which portrays the gap of cultures, families, and social relationships due to  political and economic shifts.The central character of the text, Majeed, a poor man  who appeared as a self appointed guardian of a mazar, & his characteristics & dilemmas show the struggle for identity in the text.

On the other hand Rahima, who represents a women who lives in a patriarch  society where her words or actions never counted.

While the story travels around personal tragedy, dilemma, and alienation, a deeper  analysis exposes how Waliullah critiques the socio-economic structures that lead to  such despair.

This paper will explore “A Tree Without Roots” through a Marxist lens,  reviewing the economic and class struggles that lead the characters’ actions,  including how the capitalist system served inequality and social oppression.

Literature review

A classic Bangali literature, “A Tree Without Roots” by Syed Walimullah, narrates  the aftermath of the Bengal partition. Where Walimullah combined the elements of  existentialism and modernism in the key figure “Majeed”. It Includes religious beliefs & exploitation, existentialism, & socio-economic  shifts. Marxist critics argue that literature is a tool for understanding the relationship  between individuals and the structures of power that rule them. From the Marxist perspective, a literary piece always reflects the economic and  social conditions of a particular period.

The theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels explores the class struggle as a  driving force in society. In literature, this is often used to analyze how characters’ actions and lives are  shaped by their materialistic environment. Several scholars have applied Marxist criticism to Bengali literature, particularly in  the context of the partition of Bengal and its aftermath.

Shamsul Islam argues that literature from this particular period reveals the theme  of alienation and displacement experienced by individuals as a result of political  upheaval. Islam discussed that the partition not only caused physical displacement but also  created economic inequalities, which are often discussed in literary works. In his study of post-partition literature,

Zillur Rahman underscores the economic disparities that arose from the division. Highlighting that the working class and elites were particularly vulnerable. Rahman suggests that works like Waliullah’s A Tree Without Roots reflect the class  struggles inherent in the period, with characters caught between the desires for  self-fulfillment and the harsh realities of their socio-economic circumstances. In English criticism,

Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism and Frantz Fanon’s theories of colonial  alienation reviews a useful framework for understanding better the socio-political  alienation in post-colonial societies.

While Said’s focus is on the colonizer-colonized dimension, his ideas on cultural  domination reviews the sense of loss and alienation that Waliullah’s characters  experience in the post-partition.

Abdul Hye, in his translation of Waliullah’s work, underscores the title of the text,  A Tree Without Roots, used as a metaphor for the disintegration of the social  fabric.

The Imagery of a tree without roots symbolizes the structure of society, where  individuals are detached from their traditional values, communities, and identities,  often detached from the production in capitalist society.

In the same manner, Satyendra Prasad Sinha (2007), a known Bengali Marxist  critic, argues that the historical materialism underlying post-partition literature  reflects the deepening class divisions and the growing role of capitalism in shaping  social relations. Sinha says that texts like A Tree Without Roots critique the capitalist system,  where individuals like Majeed are the victims of a system that prioritizes wealth  over human dignity.

In addition to these works, Jahangir Hossain (2011), in his analysis of Bengali  post-partition literature, describes that the partition led to a deepened sense of class  and economic inequality, which is wonderfully captured in the writings of authors  like Waliullah. Hossain reviews that the working class were often left without a voice during this  period and writers like Waliullah used literature as a tool to highlight the economic  struggles.

Discussion and Analysis

1. Class Struggle & the theme of Alienation –

A Tree Without Roots is considered an exploration of class struggle. Majeed, the narrator, I a man who was torn between his desire and the economic  shifts. That created a barrier in his freedom. His journey reflects the alienation that appeared when individuals were oppressed  by both the capitalist system and the political forces. The partition of Bengal set as the backdrop for the text and alienation by dividing  families & communities.

Abdul’s search for identity represents his struggle against the socio-economic  structures that define his existence. His personal tragedies, his familial relationships, his alienation from society, and  his inability to find a proper job & lead a better life are the direct consequences of  a system that prioritizes economic gain over human well-being. The text expresses the dehumanizing consequences of the capitalist society, which  prioritizes profit over people, Production over wages & making people like Majeed  worthless.

2. The Impact of the Partition –

This division is an important and historical event. where it affects the lives of the characters. From a Marxist perspective, the partition is not just seen as a political event but a  reflection of the economic condition of the ruling class. This partition was led by political and economic masters , which resulted loss of  economic rights.

The working class and ruling class, who are already filtered in the socio-economic  structure, bear the heat of the partition’s consequences. Waliullah’s portrayal of the displaced individuals underscores the intersection of  class oppression and political power.Where the poor are the first to suffer from the decisions made by the elites.

Characters like Majeed are caught in the crossfire of political behavior. The characters sense of identity is shaped by the prevailing ideologies of  nationalism and religion, which are used to highlight the existing power class. Waliullah shares this ideological control by describing how the characters internal  struggles are influenced by the dominant behavior of the time. Majeed’s inability to connect his personal desires with the expectations from the  society that are placed upon him.

3. Ideology and Hegemony –

The behavior of the ruling class, which focuses ideology to maintain its  dominance. The novel exposes how cultural ideologies are used to suppress people and  maintain the status quo. While keeping the working class and marginalized  individuals in a state of subjugation.

Conclusion

Syed Waliullah’s “A Tree Without Roots” presents a powerful critique of the socio economic and political conditions of post-partition Bengal. Through a Marxist lens, the novel reviews the idea of class struggles, alienation,  and dilemmas experienced by the characters during the partition. Waliullah’s narration on the economic disparities, cultural oppression, and the loss  of identity presented as significant effects of capitalism and political division on  the lives of ordinary people. The novel’s exploration of the psychological and emotional due to these socio economic and political forces underscores the complexities of human experience in  a capitalist society. Waliullah’s work leaves an important footprint on Bengali literature by  acknowledging valuable insights into the struggles of individuals. Including  history, politics, and class struggles.

Works Cited

– Waliullah, Syed.” A Tree Without Roots” (LalShalu). Translated by Abdul Hye.

– Rahman, Zillur. “Post-Partition Literature: A Marxist Analysis”. Dhaka  University Press, 2005.

– Islam, Shamsul. “The Impact of the Partition on Bengali Literature.” Bengali  Literature and Society, vol. 12, no. 2, 2010, pp. 34-45.

– Said, Edward. “Orientalism”. Pantheon Books, 1978.

– Sinha, Satyendra Prasad. “Marxist Criticism and Post-Partition Bengali  Literature“. Bookworm Publishers, 2007.

– Hossain, Jahangir.” Bengali Literature in the Post-Partition Period: A Marxist  Analysis“. Bangla Academy Press, 2011.