ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the mobilisation of melancholic affect in types of anthologies. It considers two representative anthologies. The first, Alok Bhalla's Stories about the Partition of India, is widely recognised as the most comprehensive anthology of partition literature to date. The second, Debjani Sengupta's Mapmaking: Partition Stories From 2 Bengals, is an excellent example of the second-wave of partition anthologies, which are distinguished by their attention to regional or minority accounts of the partition experience. In adding women's testimonies to the dialogue formulated by partition anthologies, Menon builds upon existing feminist partition scholarship, while also challenging the work produced thus far. The affective power of this melancholia, conveyed by the different voices and recollections of women, reminds the reader that, in the wake of partition, if there is no healing or reconciliation, of resisting partitionist divides, and engaging with the past.
