Analysing the concept of suffering in Aravind Adiga’s Amnesty from the standpoint of the twelve links of dependent origination

In Buddhism, the anatomy and genesis of suffering are described by twelve interrelated characteristics known as the “twelve links of dependent origination” (Pratitya Samutpada). The twelve links of dependent origination are acknowledged by all schools of Buddhism as the cause of human suffering. This paper seeks to investigate the idea of suffering in Aravind Adiga’s 2020 novel, Amnesty, using the idea of dependent origination as a theoretical lens. This essay’s main objective is to understand how each of the dependent origination linkages influences the development and operation of the others and how they work together to bring about Dukkha in the lives of the characters.