Conflict between Traditional Moral Values and the Social Pressures of Modern Corporate Life in Sudha Murthy's Gently Falls the Bakula

Abstract

This paper examines the depiction of the conflict between traditional moral values in Indian society and the corrosive social pressures of modern corporate life in Sudha Murthy’s novel Gently Falls the Bakula. Through the characters of Shrimati and Shrikant, Murthy illustrates how a professional approach can erode compassion, selfhood, and ethical integrity. The study shed light on the “dark side of corporate lifestyle” and the psychological toll of self-sacrifice, highlighting the protagonist’s transition from a submissive traditional role to an empowered individual reclaiming her identity through education. This paper examines how the protagonist, Shrimati, adheres to traditional virtues—honesty, self-sacrifice, and emotional depth—while her husband, Shrikant, succumbs to the social pressures of the IT industry, resulting in a "materialistic realm" that ultimately dissolves their marital bond.