"Incantations" and Other Stories Lesson Plan

Published in 1992, Anjana Appachana's Incantations and Other Stories presents a feminist look at modern Indian life. Each of the eight stories looks at middle-class life in or around Delhi, often focusing on the plight of women in a traditional and patriarchal society. Written in English, the stories turn a keen eye toward the effect of the West on India, from the disruption caused by colonization to the unrealistic dreams disseminated by Western literature. Most of Appachana's protagonists are women who fight for individuality and freedom against oppressive traditions, but the literature also takes a human approach, acknowledging the perspective and plight of those who carry on the...