Document Type
Article
Abstract
Vandana Singh's Distances reasons why existence is its own purpose from the framework of nondualism (Advaita Vedanta in Hindu philosophical nondualism). Singh uses her knowledge of concepts from nonduality and represents that which underlies existence for the Advaitan. The concept of a primary state is depicted through the use of nondualist philosophy and the symbol of Vara in Distances. The representation of the binary or triadic structure inherent within nonduality is depicted as Singh creates philosophical realms to construct a novel of latticed meaning-ultimately questioning understanding over experiencing. Singh weaves together a challenging work that lends a poetry to the novella's ultimate depiction of the significance of reality. Distances develops the character Anasuya, her worlds, and myths. Distances myths and use of comparisons to the reader's world both hint at a larger ontological answer to reality through the philosophy of nondualism. Anasuya's life as a mathematician and creator leads her to her eventual journey of self-discovery.
The novella is interesting for its use of mythology and representations of the philosophy of nondualism with a critical eye toward the western concept of progress. The novella preferences diversity over standardization.
Repository Citation
Meyer, Amanda. "An Inquiry into a Literary Depiction of the Construction of Reality Through the Use of Nondualism in Vandana Singh's Distances." Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture vol. 15, no. 3, 2015, pp. 1–24. https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/reconstruction/vol15/iss3/11