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Social Criticism In 'Godaan (The Gift Of A Cow'

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‘Indian writing in English Translation’ ‘Term paper’ ‘Godaan as a social criticism’

Godaan (The Gift of a Cow) is a Hindi novel by famous Indian author Munshi Premchand. Which was first published in 1936, is the best and last completed novel of author, and is considered one of the greatest Indian novels of modern Indian literature. First translation of Godaan was done by Jai Ratan Singh and Purushottama Lal in 1957 while the second translation was accomplished by Gordon Charles Roadarmel in 1968 when it was commissioned by UNESCO.
Social Criticism is a term used to distinguish literature that addresses specific political, social, economic, cultural, or religious issues. Throughout the history of English literature, writers have based their works on such issues. Godaan is also gives us social criticism and the novel is set in pre-independent period and lights on the peasants’ life in that period.
Premchand’s ‘Godaan’ produces the rustic, simplistic and heart-rending lives of the peasants. ‘Godaan’ is ‘a novel of stark reality’, which deals with the dreams, despairs and day-to day events of Hori, the protagonist of the novel, and his family. Through the peasants, Premchand has portrayed the pathetic life of the rural arena. Hori is an embodiment of peasant-virtue, simplicity and truth. He leads an inconsistent life with his wife Dhania, and his

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