The Unbridgeable gap between Haves and Have-nots in select novels: A Handful of Rice and The Sari Shop

<p>In the present society, economic inequality has become increasingly pronounced. The<br>concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small elite has led to a widening<br>wealth gap, with the wealthiest individuals and corporations amassing<br>unprecedented levels of wealth. In contrast, many others struggle with poverty,<br>unemployment, and lack of access to necessities. This disparity has raised societal<br>conflicts, divided into two groups: Haves and Have-nots. Karl Marx's theory of the<br>haves and have-nots, often called the theory of class struggle, can still be applied to<br>present society, although it has evolved and taken on new dimensions. His theory<br>emphasizes the exploitative nature of capitalism, where the haves, typically the<br>bourgeoisie or the capitalist class, own and control the means of production, while<br>the have-nots, the proletariat or the working class, sell their labor and power to<br>survive. In the novels A Handful of Rice and The Sari Shop, there is a portrayal of<br>an unbridgeable gap between the haves and have-nots. This gap is depicted through<br>various socio-economic factors such as wealth, social status, and opportunities. The<br>narrative explores the disparities between different classes and the challenges faced<br>by those who are less privileged. This paper aims to explore the depiction of the<br>haves and have-nots in the selected novels, The Sari Shop and A Handful of Rice,<br>highlighting the stark disparities between different social classes</p>