Exploring Disability and Identity in The Context of Ecological Disaster in Indra Sinha's Animal’s People

Abstract

This research paper investigates the complex relationship between identity and disability as portrayed in Indra Sinha's novel "Animal’s People," within the context of an ecological catastrophe. The story progression occurs amid a simulated ecological disaster, providing an occasion to explore the complex aspects of disability and its connections to the development of one's identity in environmental anarchy. Animal, the protagonist, navigates these challenges with an added layer of complexity due to his physical disability, which profoundly shapes his interactions and perceptions within the chaotic environment. This investigation endeavours to shed light on how disability influences both individual and collective identities amidst an environmental crisis by conducting an exhaustive examination of the characters' experiences, relationships, and societal dynamics. By utilizing disability studies, ecological criticism, and identity theory as theoretical foundations, this scholarly article endeavours to provide intricate analyses of the multifaceted depiction of disability and identity in Sinha's novel. Through such an approach, it aims to augment understanding of the intricate links that are present between ecological difficulties and the variety of human beings. To reveal the intricacies of disability representation and identity negotiation within the narrative structure, the investigation would adopt a qualitative methodology, employing close textual analysis and thematic exploration. Through a critical analysis of the depiction of disability in the novel "Animal’s People" during an ecological catastrophe, this investigation aims to illuminate wider socio-cultural and environmental ramifications. In doing so, it seeks to promote discourse and increase consciousness regarding the interdependence of identity, ecological crisis, and disability in contemporary literature and society at large.