Symbiotic Narratives for a De-Colonial Turn: Exploring the Arboreal Identity in Sumana Roy’s Out of Syllabus

This study delves into the nuanced relationship between humans and trees, focusing on Sumana Roy’s Out of Syllabus (2019). Using a multidisciplinary approach drawing from anthropology and philosophy, it aims to uncover the dynamic role of trees in the human experience in India. Positioned within a postcolonial perspective aligned with the decolonial turn, the analysis emphasises trees’ active agency, challenging their traditional portrayal as passive elements. Informed by scholars like Jones and Oppermann, it delves into the nuanced interplay between human and arboreal existence, enhancing our understanding of their symbiotic relationship.