Elephant Walk

Literature

“Elephant Walk” is a novel penned by Robert Standish, published in 1948. Set against the backdrop of colonial Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), the novel unfolds a tale of love, power, and cultural clash amidst the lush landscapes of a tea plantation. The narrative centers around the arrival of Ruth Wiley, the young and spirited wife of plantation owner John Wiley, to the sprawling tea estate known as Elephant Walk. Ruth finds herself thrust into a world of opulence and privilege, yet also faces the challenges of navigating the complex social dynamics of colonial society. At the heart of the story lies the titular Elephant Walk, a majestic path carved through the jungle by elephants, symbolizing the enduring legacy of British colonialism in Ceylon. The Elephant Walk serves as a metaphor for the clash between tradition and modernity, as well as the tensions between the colonizers and the colonized.