Introduction

“The Foreigner” tells a story that echoes the palpation of life. A gentle tale, centering round the various aspects of life, brings out the verve of longing, the pain of detachment and above all the mystic realities of experiencing life. The foreigner by Arun Joshi was published by Vision or Orient Paperbacks.

Synopsis of “The Foreigner”

“The Foreigner” by Arun Joshi is about human relationships and their various aspects. The central character of the story is Surinder Oberoi, in short Sindi Oberoi. The story revolves around his loneliness and feelings of anguish and anxiety, born of his estrangement from his environment, tradition and his true self. In this story, the young hero after experiencing life and love in America, comes back to Delhi in India. And eventually he was persuaded by a humble office worker to believe that sometimes detachment lies in actually getting involved. Right from the beginning, he is oppressed by a desire to find the meaning of life and his entire life is geared around his quest for performance in life.

This Surinder Oberoi is detached, almost alienated man who sees himself as a stranger wherever he lives or goes. He feels the same in every place e.g. in Kenya where he is born, in England and USA where he is a student and in India where he finally settles. His detachment transcends barriers of geography, nationality and culture as well. It propels him from one crisis to another, sucking in the wake several other people, including June, an attractive American with whom he had a short lived but passionate affair. Babu is another character in this story who forms the third vertex of their doomed love triangle.

This creation of Arun Joshi is an analytical story. The author’s critical thinking is evident to the readers of this book. Joshi is a great writer with varied ides. This book deals with some intricacies of life like all human beings are alone in this world. The people can be surrounded by thousands of men but as a whole they are alone. At the time of leaving the world all have to go alone. This universal truth has been highlighted once again in this story by Arun Joshi.

Characterization and Narrative of “The Foreigner”

In “The Foreigner,” the narrative unfolds through a carefully structured series of flashbacks, where past events are arranged with precision to heighten suspense. Although the novel features several characters such Babu, an Indian student in America; June, a simple yet deeply passionate American girl; and Mr. Khemka, a Delhi-based industrialist, the central focus remains on Sindi Oberoi, a rootless young man. The story is narrated from Sindi’s perspective, and its division into three parts reflects the progression of relationships. The first part introduces their beginnings, the second traces their growth and decay, and the final section culminates in defeat and destruction. 

The novelist’s primary concern lies in portraying the gradual transformation of Sindi Oberoi from a negative philosophy of detachment to a more meaningful and positive understanding of it. Initially, Sindi adheres to a belief in non-involvement as a means to attain personal happiness. However, this detached stance contributes indirectly to the tragic deaths of Babu and June. Over time, he comes to realize that true detachment does not imply indifference but rather involves performing one’s duties sincerely without attachment to outcomes, a principle rooted in the teachings of “The Gita.” 

During his early weeks at work, Sindi demonstrates this evolving outlook by dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his responsibilities. He works tirelessly, often late into the night, and, with the cooperation of others, successfully brings order to the establishment. His involvement is marked by a sense of positive detachment, as he no longer concerns himself with the results of his actions. In contrast, other characters remain trapped in their limitations: Babu is consumed by self-pity, Mr. Khemka is engrossed in shallow materialism, Sheila exists on the edge of life without fully engaging in it, and Sindi himself initially fears commitment. Their inability to confront life in its entirety highlights the novel’s assertion that only selfless involvement can transcend selfish instincts and bridge the divide between appearance and reality. 

Through Sindi’s experiences, Arun Joshi explores the profound agony of loneliness and the psychological conflicts that arise in the search for meaning. The characters in the novel grapple with existential dilemmas, each shaped by different circumstances. Joshi exposes the superficiality of society by stripping away its masks and revealing the inner truths of human nature. His focus shifts away from the external world to the complexities of the inner self, reflecting his deeper engagement with the essence of human existence. Consequently, the characters in his works often embody themes of loneliness, alienation, hypocrisy, and a loss of individuality, reinforcing the novel’s exploration of the human condition.

Dominant Themes in “The Foreigner”

“The Foreigner” reflects Arun Joshi’s acute awareness of the deeper social realities of contemporary times. The novel presents freedom not merely as the absence of constraints, but as liberation from the desire to possess and from the dominance of the ego. Such freedom, the narrative suggests, becomes a necessary condition for genuine love and for a meaningful, productive existence. 

At the same time, the novel carries discernible traces of Marxist thought, particularly in its portrayal of class-consciousness and class conflict. Babu, for instance, lives in fear of his father, whose primary concern lies in maintaining upper-class status. The father views his foreign-educated son as a symbol of prestige, expecting that such an accomplishment will enhance the family’s social standing and secure a wealthy bride. Similarly, the stark contrast in living conditions between Mr. Khemka and his employees shows the deep economic divide. Sindi is struck by the opulence of the Khemkas’ lavishly decorated mansion, yet he is equally shocked by the cramped, single-room dwelling of Muthu, where a dozen individuals struggle to coexist. This glaring disparity between the privileged and the deprived highlights the rigid class divisions within society. Individuals like Muthu, constrained by circumstance, remain ever willing to serve and comply with the demands of the affluent upper class. 

Alongside this social critique, the novel also delves into Sindi’s inner world, particularly his tendency toward self-delusion. He distorts fundamental Hindu philosophical concepts such as Maya, Karma, and detachment, transforming them to justify his own contemplative detachment from life. In doing so, he misinterprets these ethical principles, using them as a shield for his reluctance to engage meaningfully with reality.

About Arun Joshi

The author Arun Joshi was an Indian writer born in 1939. He attended schools in India as well as in United States. He got his Master Degree in Management from M.I.T. He was the director of Shri Ram Centre for industrial relations. Arun Joshi is a novelist of great merit and an author of rare sensitivity. In every creation of the author, his instinctive ability to articulate the feelings of the post-independence Indians trapped between the Indian ethos and western influences, has always interested the readers. His five novels and a collection of short stories won him critical acclaim and a recognition as an author of rate sensitivity and exceptional talent. The Last Labyrinth was selected for a prestigious Sahitya Akademy Award, India's highest literary honour. 

In many of his writings he has reveals his psychological insight and understanding of multiple idiosyncrasies of the lives of all the protagonists in his novels. His stories has been made comprehensive enough to reveal the various perspectives of each character and the backdrop. Arun Joshi is an original writer whose writing always get praises from the world literature. The novelist passed away in 1993.