Name: Ghanshyam Katariya
Paper 202: Indian English Literature – Post-Independence
Subject Code: 22407
Topic Name: Postcolonial and Postmodern Elements in "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie
Batch: M.A. Sem-3(2022-24)
Roll No: 7
Enrolment No: 4069206420220017
Email Address: gkatariya67@gmail.com
Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU
Assignment Topic: Postcolonial and Postmodern Elements in "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie
Introduction
In the latter half of the 20th century, the emergence of postcolonialism and postmodernism as critical frameworks significantly influenced literary analysis. Postcolonialism delves into the enduring cultural consequences of colonialism, exploring how it shapes societies and identities. Salman Rushdie, a prominent British-Indian author, adeptly incorporates postcolonial and postmodern elements in his acclaimed work, "Midnight's Children." Postmodernism challenges established notions of truth and reality, often employing unconventional narrative structures and self-conscious language use. Rushdie's novel not only captures the complexities of postcolonial India but also reflects postmodern storytelling techniques, including parody, magical realism, and a fragmented narrative. The thematic core of hybridity connects these dimensions, emphasising the continuous negotiation of identities in a postcolonial, postmodern world. This synthesis prompts a dynamic reevaluation of literature, identity, and the intricate interplay of historical and fictional narratives.
Postcolonialism:
Postcolonialism is the scholarly exploration of the enduring cultural consequences of colonialism and imperialism. This framework investigates how colonisation shapes societies, cultures, and identities. According to Quayson, "A possible working definition for postcolonialism is that it involves a studied engagement with the experience of colonialism and its past and present effects, both at the local level of ex-colonial societies and at the level of more general global developments thought to be the after-effects of empire" (Quayson). Postcolonial theorists analyse power dynamics, resistance movements, and the contemporary ramifications of colonial history. Their objective is to dismantle colonial narratives, challenge Eurocentrism, and amplify the voices of marginalised communities. Quayson underscores that 'postcolonialism' encapsulates conditions during imperialism and colonialism, as well as those emerging after the historical conclusion of colonial rule.
Postmodernism:
Postmodernism, a multifaceted intellectual movement that surfaced in the mid-20th century, challenges established notions of truth, reality, and identity. According to Lyotard, a key figure in postmodern thought, the postmodern should be understood as a paradoxical fusion of the future and the past. In this context, postmodern works do not adhere to universal rules or metanarratives but instead are crafted without any predetermined framework (Brann). Literary postmodernism, as noted by Connor, predominantly focuses on narrative fiction. This framework emphasises the relativity of perspectives and the fragmentation of knowledge. Postmodern literature often employs unconventional narrative structures, intertextuality, and a self-conscious awareness of language and representation. In contrast to modernism, which centred on the concept of time, literary postmodernism operates within time, assuming that literature is inherently narrative (Connor).
Salman Rushdie as a Postcolonial and Postmodern Writer:
Salman Rushdie, a well-regarded British author born in India, is often seen as someone who writes in both postcolonial and postmodern styles. His most famous book, "Midnight's Children," is like a vibrant blend of these two approaches. “He is immensely influenced by the political and cultural milieu of post independent India Cultural fragmentation,colonial and neo-colonial power structure,matterialistic off-shoots of modern civilization,dying of human relationship,social injustice,blending of facts and fantasy,- search for love and security are the major preoccupations in the writings of Salman Rushdie.” (Barman)
In "Midnight's Children," Rushdie explores India's history after gaining independence in 1947. The story dives into the many layers of people's identities, the mix of different cultures, and how significant historical events affect individual lives. Rushdie's way of telling the story in this book shows he's influenced by postmodern ideas. He uses things like magical realism (where magical elements mix with real life), tells the story in a not-so-straightforward way, and plays around with language in a creative manner.
When we look at "Midnight's Children" through the lenses of postcolonialism and postmodernism, we see how Rushdie handles the mix of history, identity, and storytelling. The book becomes a place where old stories about colonial times are taken apart, common ideas are questioned, and many different voices come together to shape the story of what happens after colonial rule.
Postmodernism in ‘Midnight’s Children’
Rita Joshi highlights in her analysis, what Hutcheon in his ‘Poetics of Postmodernism’ stated “When modernist aesthetic autonomy and self reflexivity come up against a counterforce in the form of a grounding in the historical, social and political world …what would characterise postmodernism in fiction would be what I here call ‘historiographic metafiction’”. (Joshi)
"Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie stands as a notable example of postmodern fiction, weaving together elements of fantasy, history, and mythology to create a narrative that challenges traditional storytelling norms.” Historiographic metafiction is one of the preoccupation of postmodernism. Actual historic characters and events serve as background of postmodern novels. Like Amitav Ghosh Rushdie utilizes history. Through the story of Sinai family the history of Indian subcontinent found expression. All the major events of Indian history---from the independence to declaration of emergency by Indira Gandhi have been eloquently expressed in Midnight’s Children. Thus from the above examination we can say that Midnight’s Children is the best example of a postmodern novel. All the important traits known to be postmodern have been found expressed in this novel. “ (Barman)
One distinctive feature of postmodern novels is their departure from realism, and this is evident in Rushdie's work. The narrator openly questions their own perspective, declaring, "Am I so far gone, in my desperate need for meaning that I am prepared to distort everything?" This self-awareness and willingness to distort reality reflect the postmodern inclination to break away from conventional narrative structures.
Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" epitomizes the characteristics of postmodern fiction, incorporating elements of fantasy, history, and mythology to craft a nuanced narrative. The "midnight's children" serve as symbolic embodiments of India's birth coinciding with the nation's independence on the midnight of August 15, 1947. Endowed with magical powers that gradually fade, their existence becomes a metaphor for the diminishing potential of the country in subsequent years. This analysis aims to highlight specific aspects of postmodernism apparent in the novel.
In the postmodern novel "Midnight's Children," diverse texts blend to create a fictional world, reflecting the postmodern emphasis on multiplicity. Influenced by Hindu mythology, the narrative intertwines historical events with timeless myths, merging the "real" with the "fantastic." Characters, such as Saleem and Major Shiva, embody mythical archetypes, drawing parallels to gods like Ganesha. The story weaves in the myth of Shiva and Parvati, with Shiva representing destruction and war. Aadam, Saleem's foster father, symbolizes the elephant-headed Ganesh, illustrating the intricate interplay between mythology and reality. This complexity underscores the novel's engagement with postmodern storytelling.
In "Midnight's Children," parody is a significant postmodern element, using humour to comment on historical events. The idea of Partition is playfully presented through a partitioned woman, highlighting the absurdity of dividing both a woman's body and the subcontinent. Another instance of parody involves Indira Gandhi and the Emergency, where the Prime Minister is amusingly portrayed as the envious Widow, taking extreme measures to control the Midnight's Children. The novel also introduces magic realism through characters like Mian Abdullah, a magician-politician attempting to unite Muslim groups with a metaphorical "conjuring trick." These instances of parody offer a critical perspective on historical and political themes within the framework of postmodern storytelling.
Midnight’s Children as Postcolonial work
Saleem uses magical realism, with its blending of mythology, realism, fantastic elements, and history, to tell his story, and this remains the most effective way for him to continue his story and to express his position as a postcolonial Indian citizen. (Abdullah)
The Indian sub-continent is associated with concepts of multiplicity, hybridity, and plurality. It is quite difficult and, to some extent, impossible to define a diverse country like India by a homogeneous and authentic national identity. Having people from different cultures and languages, India is defined by its diversity, and people from different religions further pluralize the identity of the nation. (Abdullah)
By infusing elements of hybridity, the novel embraces the multiplicity and complexity inherent in the Indian subcontinent. This complexity is not only cultural and linguistic but also extends to the diverse religious backgrounds of its people. Abdullah's observations on the difficulty of defining a diverse country like India with a singular national identity resonate here.
What makes Midnight's Children noteworthy is its ability to use this blend of elements not only for artistic expression but also as a lens through which to examine postcolonial challenges. By understanding the novel through the perspective of hybridity, readers gain valuable insights into the intricate and nuanced struggles associated with the postcolonial condition. It's through this narrative technique that the novel transcends the boundaries of a typical historical account, creating a more profound and multifaceted exploration of India's history and its complex postcolonial identity.
Saleem, who struggles for personal identity, becomes a symbolic counterpart to India, which struggles to reunite its multiple nationhoods in the post-independence period; his life becomes a microcosm of post-independent India. After the loss of telepathic power, Saleem gains another as his huge nose starts smelling emotions and intentions. From these events and ideas emerge fantasy so complex, and the novel remains a constant investigation of the relations between order, reality, and fantasy.(Abdullah)
Conclusion
In "Midnight's Children," Salman Rushdie weaves together postcolonial and postmodern elements, exploring the aftermath of British colonialism in India while employing innovative storytelling techniques. The central theme of hybridity connects both dimensions, showcasing the diverse influences shaping characters' identities and the narrative structure. This fusion prompts a reevaluation of literature, identity, and the postcolonial experience, portraying it as a fluid and dynamic construct continuously shaped by cultural, historical, and personal influences. Rushdie's masterful blend enriches the novel, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of postcolonial realities and the ever-evolving nature of storytelling and identity.
Word count= 1586
Resources
Abdullah, Md. Abu Shahid. “International Journal of English and Education.” International Journal of English and Education, October 2014, https://ijee.org/assets/docs/27_L.265144232.pdf. Accessed 25 November 2023.
Brann, Eva TH. "What is postmodernism?." The Harvard Review of Philosophy 2.1 (1992): 4-7.
Barman, Kalyan Kishor. “Post-modern traits in the novel of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children. Kalyan Kishor.” Worldwidejournals.com, GJRA - GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS, August 2015, https://www.worldwidejournals.com/global-journal-for-research-analysis-GJRA/recent_issues_pdf/2015/August/August_2015_1438858313__21.pdf . Accessed 25 November 2023.
Chetia, Janardan. “A Postcolonial Analysis of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children and V.S. Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas.” Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 2021, https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2103242.pdf . Accessed 24 November 2023.
Connor, Steven. "Postmodernism and literature." The Cambridge companion to postmodernism (2004): 62-81.
Joshi, Rita. “Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children as a Postmodern Novel.” THE AD LITTERAM JOURNAL, https://adlitteramjournal.com/assets/pdf/2020/20.-Rita-Joshi_Article_Ad-Litteram-Journal_December-2020-Edition_Volume-5.pdf . Accessed 24 November 2023.
Quayson, Ato. “What is postcolonial literature?” The British Academy, 2 January 2020, https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/what-is-postcolonial-literature/ . Accessed 24 November 2023.
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