Exploring the Social Mistreatment in Mulk Raj Anand’s Two Leaves and A Bud

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate the dilemma of the social mistreatment and marginalization of impoverished laborers, specifically by white masters and their supporters. It illustrates how colonial power dehumanizes, deceives and cheats the impoverished laborers of the tea estate. The corrupted and merciless white master of the Macpherson tea plantation in Assam has a greedy and envious attitude towards the destitute, landless and defenseless coolies. It depicts the miserable situation of the indentured underclass protagonist Gangu, who was first taken advantage of by the landlords in his home country and then by the white masters on the tea estate. He is the epitome of the oppressed human race. Due to his poverty, he is a member of the socially excluded class. A hierarchy of classes is depicted in Two Leaves and a Bud because of social standing, power and financial standing.