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Revealing the Depths of "Appachchi Avith" for Deeper Societal Insights

Appachchi Avith - Book by Saman Wickramarachchi

The award winning novel, "Appachchi Avith," authored by Saman Wickramarachchi, can be regarded as a profound exploration of the intricate psychosocial dynamics prevalent in contemporary society. Throughout the globe, numerous writers employ their understanding of psychology as a means of crafting innovative literary works. However, transcending beyond this realm and accomplishing a profound artistic creation that encompasses a profound sense of humanity and a comprehensive sociocultural comprehension poses a formidable test for any writer. In the realm of recent achievements within Sinhalese literature, Saman Wickramarachchi adeptly confronts this challenge with remarkable success.

As an Artwork

The novel stands out as a remarkable work of art, primarily due to Saman Wickramarachchi's unconventional narrative structure, deviating from traditional storytelling methods. The author's approach to character development, language usage, and the portrayal of mental states proves highly intriguing, offering readers a fresh and immersive experience. Wickramarachchi demonstrates a genuine understanding of each character by employing distinct linguistic styles for different individuals. Notably, the dialogue and manner of expression employed by Nissanka starkly contrasts with the delusional character, Appachchi. The latter's speech patterns, emotional expression, political viewpoints, and workplace environment are meticulously organized and presented in a cohesive manner. By employing a first-person narrative perspective, Wickramarachchi effectively immerses readers, enabling them to fully experience the novel's essence. The author's adeptness at portraying conversations and dialogues between Nissanka and his alter ego emphasizes his storytelling prowess. While the novel exhibits surrealistic elements, the author's exceptional skill lies in presenting the plot within a realistic framework rather than confining it to the surrealistic genre. This ability to maintain a realistic foundation throughout the narration is a testament to Wickramarachchi's proficiency as a writer.

The narrative of the novel primarily revolves around Nissanka Senadheera, the central character employed as an executive officer in a government office. The storyline delves into Nissanka's delusional experiences, shaped by his struggle with schizophrenia. Supporting characters such as Sumali (his wife), Sumudu (his daughter), Hilda (a woman in the neighborhood), and Samaradivakara (the head officer at Nissanka's workplace) play crucial roles in advancing the narrative until its conclusion. Notably, Saman Wickramarachchi introduces the character of 'Appachchi,' who exerts significant influence over Nissanka. Throughout the fable-like narrative, the author endeavors to elucidate the current sociopolitical climate and provoke an acute sense of connection with the present moment. Given the exigencies of contemporary circumstances, Wickramarachchi endeavors to engage readers fully, allowing them to delve deeply into the sociopolitical aspects explored within the novel.

With Regards to Diverse Viewpoints in Psychology

Previously mentioned, the character known as 'Appachchi' has been introduced as a manifestation of Nissanka's repressed thoughts, thus aligning the novel with the psychoanalytic principles of the Psychoanalytic school of psychology. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) proposed a model of the mind consisting of three parts, as outlined in his iceberg theory: the conscious mind, the unconscious mind, and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind represents awareness of one's surroundings, while the subconscious mind encompasses easily accessible thoughts, feelings, wishes, and memories. The unconscious mind, on the other hand, contains suppressed and unacceptable thoughts and unresolved childhood experiences. In Nissanka's case, it is the unconscious mind that exerts its influence. Consequently, an enigmatic character emerges, symbolizing the father figure, and it can be argued that both the father and Nissanka represent different facets of the same individual.

Furthermore, Freud introduced three additional concepts to elucidate the structure of the personality: the Id, the Ego, and the Super Ego. The Id encompasses various elements, including instincts, repressed childhood thoughts, as well as suppressed thoughts and memories from adulthood. The Ego operates based on a realistic principle, seeking to satisfy the Id's desires in a practical manner. On the other hand, the Super Ego functions as the moral compass of an individual, representing the voice of conscience that guides one's behavior in accordance with societal norms and expectations.

Within the context of the narrative, it becomes apparent that Nissanka grapples with a form of moral anxiety, which arises when one acts in opposition to the dictates of the Super Ego. Throughout the story, Nissanka consistently experiences turmoil due to his behavior towards his father and his wife, Sumali. Conversely, there are instances where he succumbs to the impulses of the Id. Notably, the scene involving the blue video and his interaction with the psychiatrist exemplify such instances.

Moreover, as the lawyer aptly explains to the judge, there exists a notable issue concerning Nissanka's Oedipus complex during his childhood. Freud's psychosexual stages of development provide a framework for understanding this concept. These stages consist of five distinct phases, each associated with specific developmental milestones. Freud's key insight is that if an individual's needs are not adequately fulfilled during any of these stages, it can lead to complications in their future.

Of particular relevance is the Phallic stage, wherein a child develops sexual feelings towards the parent of the opposite sex. The Oedipus complex, specifically observed in male children, plays a crucial role in establishing a healthy identification with the same-sex parent. Unfortunately, in Nissanka's case, it appears that this crucial developmental milestone was not successfully traversed due to childhood difficulties. Consequently, Nissanka remained entangled in his father's persona, impeding his personal growth and causing disruption in his life.

This psychological struggle manifests in the form of delusions, which are commonly experienced by individuals with schizophrenia. Delusions are characterized by the adoption of false and irrational beliefs about one's surroundings, often accompanied by hallucinations and other perceptual distortions. Nissanka, too, has encountered such challenges, further impacting his behavior, social interactions, and overall functioning within his environment.

In Jacques Lacan's (1901-1981) framework, which builds upon Freud's understanding of the Oedipus complex, he introduces the concept of the "Name of the father." Lacan acknowledges the fundamental idea of the Oedipus complex proposed by Freud, and he further explores the driving force behind human behavior as "desire." This desire is also referred to as the "symbolic order." The symbolic order emerges when we replace objects with words and lose their tangible presence. Throughout an individual's life, this concept of desire is directed towards various objects, including the "mother" as the originator of the symbolic order, and the "father" as the central figure in this process.

As one progresses into adulthood, the role of the symbolic order is assumed by different forms of authority and social institutions. However, Nissanka's struggle lies in his inability to establish a clear definition of his father. This means that during the formation of the symbolic order, Nissanka encountered difficulties in reshaping his perception of Appachchi. Moreover, this notion of the "symbolic order" can be linked to the current structure of institutions. It becomes evident that the absence of a prominent figurehead within an institution can have a detrimental impact on subordinates. When subordinates lose their identification with their supervisor, the effectiveness of the institution itself is compromised. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the significance of a strong and identifiable authority figure within an institution, as the loss of such identification can lead to a decline in its overall efficacy.

Indeed, the mentioned text aligns with the humanistic perspective, particularly the viewpoint of Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Rogers emphasized three key dimensions in describing the human experience: the total individual, the phenomenal field (which encompasses all the experiences gained throughout one's life), and self-concept. According to Rogers, an imbalance between self-concept and the phenomenal field can result in a collapse of the total individual.

In Nissanka's case, the challenge lies in his inability to reconstruct a balanced life while reconciling his self-concept. The self-concept refers to how an individual perceives themselves. Nissanka's breakdown of self has caused him to lose equilibrium. This issue of losing the self, and consequently the balance in one's life, is often observed in contemporary society. It is crucial to recognize the significance of maintaining a healthy self-concept and achieving harmony between one's internal perception and the external experiences gained throughout life. The loss of this balance can lead to personal distress and societal challenges.

In light of existential philosophy or existentialism, individuals navigate their existence within three interconnected realms: the biological world, the interpersonal world, and the spiritual world. When the connections between these realms are disrupted, problems may arise. Existentialists emphasize the significance of "being" rather than "non-being." "Being" refers to the experience of living and surviving, and individuals are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their survival. However, when the connections between the three worlds are damaged, issues such as depression, detachment, and depersonalization can emerge.

Depersonalization is a state where multiple personas coexist within a single individual. Nissanka finds himself grappling with a similar experience, as his father resides within him. While it may appear to be a delusional fantasy, its impact on Nissanka's personal well-being is overwhelmingly negative. The presence of his father within him disrupts his sense of self and hampers his ability to navigate life effectively.

Nissanka's challenge can be attributed, to some extent, to his difficulty in expressing himself and asserting his own identity. He lacked a clear understanding of who he truly was. This can be likened to individuals who come from difficult backgrounds and carry the burden of a painful past. Nissanka experienced similar feelings associated with his own unresolved history. As he gradually adapted to his present lifestyle, his primary aim was to let go of the past and immerse himself in the current circumstances. Consequently, he forgot about his appachchi (father figure). However, as time passed, Nissanka became distressed and yearned to return to his previous life. It is at this point that his appachchi unexpectedly reappears at his doorstep. This sequence of events suggests that Nissanka lacked effective means of expressing his thoughts and emotions. Instead, these inner thoughts were suppressed and pushed into his unconscious mind, further exacerbating his internal turmoil.

With a Socio-Cultural and Political Base

As stated, the text aligns with the sociocultural and political landscape within Sri Lanka. It reflects on the institutional framework, particularly within government offices, where there is a prevailing controversy surrounding whether they fulfill their intended purpose. The overall system appears to have deteriorated. While it may be easy to attribute this collapse to physical structures, it is essential to consider the erosion of humanity within the individuals working within these institutions. This applies to other institutions as well, such as universities, where the question arises as to whether the ultimate outcome aligns with the original expectations. Whether it is a service or a product, what truly matters is the preservation of humaneness and the sense of being alive as individuals. Can a country truly progress with a deteriorating collective mindset? Therefore, one can perceive Saman Wickramarachchi's endeavor as an insightful examination of the complexities present within society. It aims to shed light on the current state of affairs and provoke contemplation on the importance of preserving humanity in the face of these challenges.

"Appachchi Avith" encompasses a vast sociocultural crisis, extending beyond the mere sociocultural context to include politics, economy, and the lives of the people. The writer's aim is to provide an evaluation of the current state of the country, capturing the complexities of people's lifestyles. The novel serves as a medium through which readers can gain insights into these intricate dynamics.

Furthermore, the writer endeavors to present their understanding of human nature in a comparative manner, allowing readers to individually grasp and interpret the concepts. The narrative highlights the loss of moral values in the pursuit of development and explores how individuals navigate their daily lives. The emphasis is on problem-solving and conflict resolution rather than escalating conflicts between oneself and others. Ultimately, the writer seeks to express how individuals can confront their own conflicts without undermining their constructive qualities, which they have nurtured over the years. This narrative prompts a discussion about the best approach to addressing these personal conflicts and preserving one's positive traits.

Nissanka's behavior within his social context appears to be artificially connected to his life, demonstrating the influence of his workplace environment on his overall well-being. It becomes evident that Nissanka is not an ordinary individual with an ordinary mindset. His ordinary mentality has been suppressed to a certain extent, leading him to construct his own delusional fantasy as a coping mechanism. While Nissanka displays great passion in his work, his social and interpersonal relationships suffer as a consequence.

His relationships with his wife, daughter, neighbors, and even his superiors exhibit a deconstructive nature. Although societal expectations dictate a certain level of politeness and honor, Nissanka's true inwardness reveals a wild and untamed nature. This situation extends beyond Nissanka to encompass others who believe they are on a path of development. The focus is often placed solely on material progress, while the significance of moral values, societal norms, and mental well-being are overlooked. This highlights the importance of sustainable development and the need for discussions surrounding the mentality, frustration, tension, and stress experienced by present-day employees. There is a pressing need to address the mental health aspect beyond the materialistic tendencies prevalent in society.

Saman Wickramarachchi skillfully combines the narrative of his novel with references to cinema to provide a broader understanding of his subjective matter. In doing so, he draws inspiration from the film "A Beautiful Mind" (2001), directed by Ron Howard and recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture. This film, similar to the protagonist Nissanka in the novel, depicts the life of a professor named John Nash who also grapples with delusional characters such as Parcher, Charles, and little Marcee. Throughout the story, John Nash learns to manage his delusions and finds a way to navigate his daily life.

"A Beautiful Mind" portrays various day-to-day challenges related to social acceptance, family dynamics, relationships, mental well-being, and the overall support structure provided to the main character. In the context of schizophrenia, it is important to note that individuals experiencing this condition perceive abnormal things as normal, contrasting with the perception of a healthy brain. As John Nash suggests, hallucinations can be likened to dreams and nightmares, constantly craving attention and sustenance to remain alive. By referencing "A Beautiful Mind," Saman Wickramarachchi sheds light on the parallel experiences of his protagonist, highlighting the complexities of managing delusions and the impact they have on one's life.