Power, Protest, and Personality: A Personological Study of Vijay Tendulkar's Kanyadaan

This article offers a personological analysis of Arun Athavale, a pivotal character in Vijay Tendulkar’s play Kanyadaan, using Henry A. Murray’s theory of personality. The study investigates how Arun’s psychogenic needs—particularly for dominance, autonomy, and recognition—intersect with environmental pressures such as caste discrimination, social alienation, and marital conflict. By examining Arun’s psychological motivations and responses, especially his assertion of power and protest against systemic oppression, the paper highlights how both internal needs and external socio-cultural forces shape his personality. Drawing from key scenes and dialogues in the play, the analysis reveals Arun’s violent behavior not merely as a personal flaw but as a deeply rooted reaction to generational trauma and caste-based marginalization. The character’s complex relationships with Jyoti, his wife, and her parents, Nath and Seva, further underscore the tensions between liberal idealism and lived caste realities. Through a personological lens, this article emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological theory with literary analysis to gain a deeper understanding of character behavior, especially in contexts of social injustice. The study also opens avenues for further research into the psychological portrayal of marginalized identities in Indian literature. It demonstrates how literature can serve as a site for exploring the intersections of psychology, caste, and power.