Lessing, Doris: 1919 - 2013

The Grass Is Singing, 1950 - Information about the Book

  • General Information
    • The themes of the novel include a failed marriage, the sexual obsessions mainly on the part of whites, and the fear of black power and revenge
    • Information from Wikipedia
  • Facts

    • Some of the notable awards are:

      Somerset Maugham Award: This prestigious literary award is given by the Society of Authors in the UK to writers under the age of 35 for a published work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Doris Lessing received this award for "The Grass Is Singing" in 1954.

      New York Herald Tribune World Award: This award, given in 1954, recognized "The Grass Is Singing" as one of the notable novels of the year.

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    • Characters
    • Characters with Analysis

    • Racism and Colonialis
      The novel provides a scathing critique of the racist attitudes and power imbalances inherent in the colonial system. It depicts the dehumanizing effects of racism on both the white colonizers and the oppressed black natives. The character of Moses, the black houseboy, represents the subjugated native population stripped of dignity and freedom.

      Gender Roles and Oppression
      The novel examines the oppressive gender roles and lack of agency for women in colonial society through the character of Mary Turner. As a white woman married to an unsuccessful farmer, Mary is trapped by societal expectations and her own internalized misogyny, leading to her mental deterioration and tragic end.

      Psychological Trauma and Self-Delusion
      A central theme is the psychological toll of living in a racist, oppressive society. Mary's descent into madness is fueled by her self-delusions and inability to reconcile her idealized notions of life with the harsh realities around her. The novel explores how trauma and delusion can warp one's perception of self and reality.

      Failure of the Colonial Dream
      The novel portrays the failure of the colonial dream through the Turners' struggling farm and Dick's inability to succeed as a farmer. Their downfall symbolizes the unsustainability and moral bankruptcy of the colonial system built on exploitation and racism.

      In summary, "The Grass Is Singing" provides a haunting portrayal of the corrosive effects of racism, sexism, and colonialism on human psyches and societies, making it a seminal work of anti-colonial and feminist literature.

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