Personal And Universal Features In The Poem "The Sunshine Cat"
Kamala Das's poem "The Sunshine Cat" has both personal and universal elements reflected in it.
Personal elements
Like most of Kamala Das poetry, the poem sunshine cat is also a personal poem.
the poem presents the downfall of the poetess who faced betrayal from both her alleged better-half and the lovers who used her to satisfy their carnal hunger. They refused to love her saying that it's not in their nature to love. After continuous failure in getting love, she was confined to a room by her husband whom she calls her a ruthless watcher. In the end, she ended up in the state of mental breakdown.
Universal elements
In addition to the poem being a personal poem, the poem reflects some universal happenings:
Personal elements
Like most of Kamala Das poetry, the poem sunshine cat is also a personal poem.
the poem presents the downfall of the poetess who faced betrayal from both her alleged better-half and the lovers who used her to satisfy their carnal hunger. They refused to love her saying that it's not in their nature to love. After continuous failure in getting love, she was confined to a room by her husband whom she calls her a ruthless watcher. In the end, she ended up in the state of mental breakdown.
Universal elements
In addition to the poem being a personal poem, the poem reflects some universal happenings:
- The poem gives the real picture of the society where women have to live at the mercy of male members
- We also get a glimpse of mentality of some men who are keen to use a woman, usually an easy prey to quench their demonic thirst.
- The poem depicts the universal yet subtle issue of lack of understanding on the part of the husband to his wife's wishes and problems.
- Also in the absence of healthy communication between husband and wife, the tussle grows deeper and it is a sine qua non for a perfect bond of marriage.
- We also witness through the poem about the vacuum of warmth in their relationship which shows the intent of husband of just continuing this shackle named marriage to flaunt the society that they are a happy-married couple.
- Through kamala das, we also get the idea of women crossing the contours of marriage to seek love, emotional security or their ideal husbandly figure.