Psychodynamics of an Author

The psychodynamics of the writer, Sudha Murty, have been observed through the discourse. Two of her literary works, Death Without Grief and A Wedding To Remember have been selected for this purpose from her book “Wise and Otherwise” published in 2002. In one story, the author tries to depict the insignificance of death. The subjective connotation of death varies from one person to another but the universal definition of death is marked by the meaning lent to death through its association with grief and agony. The author, through the course of an event, discovers that death of a person may bear no relevance in other people’s lives when the person becomes incapable of contributing constructively to the lives of significant others. The author feels deeply troubled to discover that love persists only as long as the person is functional and useful to others and can profoundly play his or her stipulated roles in the social context. She makes a harrowing conclusion through the unfolding of the story that we have become so engulfed by our professional and personal commitments that love has become proportionate to the usefulness of a person. Through the other story, author portrays the significance of positive emotions like love and sense of responsibility. She brings out the element of compassion through her narrative. This story draws attention to the glorious act of love against the frugality and futility of physical form of sickness. It is love that fosters self-realization and acceptance of responsibilities leading one to overcome all assumed and real hurdles in the psychological and physical realm.