From Streets to Self: Erikson's Developmental Framework in Padma Venkatraman's "The Bridge Home"

Abstract

This research examines Padma Venkatraman's novel "The Bridge Home" through the prism of Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory, focusing on phases three and four of the framework. The study looks at how the main characters in the story deal with the conflicts of Initiative vs. Guilt and Industry vs. Inferiority while dealing with the harsh realities of being homeless youngsters in Chennai, India. This study shows ssthat Venkatraman's story provides strong evidence for human resilience and adaptability within Erikson's developmental model by looking closely at the characters and their relationships with each other. The study adds to scholarship across fields by showing how modern literature can shed light on psychological theory and provide us new ideas about how children learn when things are hard. The results show that having supportive friends and chances to make a difference can help people grow in a healthy way, even in places that are usually thought to be bad for growth.