Symbolism in novel “Midnight’s Children's”
Personal Details:-
Name: Drashti Joshi
Batch: M.A. Sem.3 (2022-2024)
Enrollment N/o.: 4069206420220016
Roll N/o.: 05
E-mail Address: drashtijoshi582@gmail.com
Assignment Details:-
Topic:- Symbolism in novel “Midnight's Children's”
Paper: 202
Subject code & Paper N/o.: 22407
Paper Name:- Indian English Literature (Post-Independence)
Submitted to: Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English M.K.B.U.
Date of submission: 27 November 2023
Points to Ponder:-
Introduction
About Author
About Novel
Symbols in novel
Conclusion
Abstract:
This analysis explores symbolic elements in Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" through post-structuralist and post-modern lenses. Emphasising Derrida's concept of "pharmakon," it delves into symbols like perforated sheets, spittoons, pickles, knees, and noses, unravelling their dualistic meanings. These symbols reflect the novel's themes of concealment, memory's fragility, and the paradoxes of preservation and decay. The discussion challenges binary oppositions, notably the dichotomy between speech and writing, providing a nuanced exploration of symbols within the post-structuralist framework.
Introduction:
The examination of symbols in Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" within the context of post-structuralism and post-modernism delves into the complex interplay of meanings and dualities inherent in these literary devices. Derrida's concept of "pharmakon" becomes a guiding framework, revealing layers of significance within symbols like perforated sheets, spittoons, pickles, knees, and noses.
The perforated sheet serves as a metaphorical tool mirroring the narrative structure, simultaneously concealing and revealing aspects of the story. Spittoons, in their role as symbols, capture the delicate balance between memory preservation and its potential loss, embodying the tension between remembrance and forgetting.
Pickles take on a dual role, symbolizing both preservation and decay. This paradoxical representation reflects the intricate relationship between memory and history, highlighting the inevitable erosion and transformation that occurs over time.
Knees and noses are symbolic entities carrying themes of power, destruction, discovery, and discrimination. Their dual nature embodies the overarching themes of creation and destruction within the narrative, adding depth and complexity to character interactions.
Throughout this analysis, the exploration of these symbols challenges conventional binary oppositions, notably the distinction between speech and writing. The symbols, when viewed through the lens of post-structuralism, offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the novel's themes, contributing to a deeper appreciation of Rushdie's intricate storytelling.
About Author:-
Sir Salman Rushdie, a British writer of Indian descent, gained international prominence, albeit controversially, with his novel "The Satanic Verses." Born into affluence in Bombay, Rushdie received his education in England at Rugby School and King's College, Cambridge, ultimately acquiring British citizenship in 1964. After a brief stint as an actor post-graduation in 1968, he transitioned into a successful career as an advertising copywriter.
While his debut novel, "Grimus," debuted in 1974, Rushdie truly rose to literary acclaim with his second work, "Midnight's Children" (1981). This novel, a nuanced exploration of post-independence India through the lens of growing up, earned him the prestigious 1981 Booker Prize and drew comparisons to the works of García Márquez and Kundera.
In 1984, Rushdie continued his literary prowess with "Shame," a intricate narrative interweaving satire, fantasy, and political allegory. Beyond his contributions to fiction, the 1980s witnessed Rushdie's emergence as a prominent journalist, offering insightful commentary on political, cultural, and racial issues. However, his notoriety reached new heights as "The Satanic Verses" faced vehement condemnation from many Muslims, leading to Ayatollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa calling for the author's death. This event marked a turning point in Rushdie's life and career, underlining the complex intersection of literature, religion, and freedom of expression.
Despite an improvement in relations between Britain and Iran following Ayatollah Khomeini's death, the infamous fatwa against Salman Rushdie remained in force. Seeking a resolution, Rushdie engaged in private discussions with sympathetic Muslim leaders in late 1990. In a move that dismayed many of his supporters, he released a statement indicating his acceptance of basic Islamic tenets and a commitment not to publish the contested novel in paperback. However, these concessions failed to ameliorate hardline Muslim opinion. Rushdie later admitted that his apparent 'conversion' was born out of desperation rather than genuine faith.
Over the years, the Iranian authorities hinted that the death sentence might not be executed, yet maintained the theological stance that a fatwa cannot be officially revoked. Consequently, Rushdie gradually reclaimed a semblance of a less restricted life. In 1998, following diplomatic efforts with Britain, the Iranian government formally distanced itself from the fatwa, effectively bringing an end to Rushdie's nine-year ordeal.
During this challenging period, Rushdie continued his literary output. In 1990, he published "Haroun and the Sea of Stories," a children's fable, and in 1991, "Imaginary Homelands," a collection of essays reflecting on the controversy. Additionally, he released another significant novel, "The Moor's Last Sigh," in 1995. Shortly after regaining his freedom, Rushdie further explored the world of rock music in his 1998 novel, "The Ground Beneath Her Feet." This period stands as a testament to Rushdie's resilience and creativity amid the tumult of political and religious turmoil. (Rushdie)
About Novel:-
Historiography and the novel are tied together as genres which continually return to figure the Indian nation as the site of an incomplete or fractured modernity. The desire to find some third form of writing … to reproduce this fracturing not as a grievous lack in the nation but as something different or asa supplement which challenges the authority of its master narratives of nation and modernity, has been as much a part of the novel – at least since Rushdie– as it has been a part of historiography.
Rushdie’s Booker and Best of the Bookers award winning novel Midnight’s Children (1981) constitutes a turning point in the history of Indian English Novel. Due to its overwhelming impact upon the ensuing generation of writers, the decade following its publication, have been termed ‘Post-Rushdie’ years. Midnight’s Children presents a continuous conflict between personal and national domain. The protagonist who is ‘handcuffed to history’ is bound to brook the nation’s suffering as well as to enjoy some weird powers.
Allegory operates as an extended metaphor in which symbolic actions, characters, settings and images etc. serve to reflect some other cloaked confrontations. “All true narrative allegory has its source in a culture’s attitude towards language, and in that attitude, as embodied in language itself; allegory finds the limit of its possibility”. Critics like Northrop Frye and Jonathan Culler locate allegory within a continuum of literary practice and treat it more like a style of writing or symbolic mode than narrative genre. Celebrated post structuralist critic Paul de Man recognizes allegory as an apparatus that frees symbolism from its transcendentalist tendencies. (Kumar)
The Midnight’s Children , thus makes history akin to fiction. The uninterrupted allegories display Saleem’s eccentricity which connotes socio-political condition of the nation. The novel normalises the laudatory tendencies of historiography and exposes the compromised status of many national achievements; Nehruvian policies being one of them.
"Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie is a captivating and expansive novel that intertwines the personal and political narratives of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India's independence in 1947. Gifted with telepathic abilities, Saleem discovers that he is one of the many "Midnight's Children," each possessing unique powers reflective of the new India. The novel spans several decades, encompassing the tumultuous events that shape the nation's postcolonial identity.
As Saleem grows, so do his powers, and he finds himself entwined with historical events like the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the imposition of the Emergency in the 1970s. The story weaves magical realism with political commentary, exploring themes of identity, nationalism, and the complex interplay between individual lives and the grand sweep of history.
Rushdie's narrative is richly layered, incorporating elements of mythology, history, and cultural critique. The novel received widespread acclaim and won the Booker Prize in 1981, establishing Salman Rushdie as a leading voice in contemporary literature. "Midnight's Children" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of postcolonial identity and the enduring impact of historical events on the individual and collective psyche.
Symbols in Midnight’s Children:-
There are Four symbols in novel “Midnight’s Childrens”:-
Perforated Sheet:
Spittoon:
Pickles:
Knees and Noses:
Let’s Explore this one by one.
Perforated Sheet:-
This novel garnered critical acclaim worldwide for its attempts of reclaiming history of India and claiming the nation itself using various symbols and metaphors. One of the most important symbols and metaphors Rushdie employs in the novel is “the Perforated Sheet,” which is also the title for the opening chapter. The perforated sheet has, indeed, generated various interpretations by a large number of interested critics. One of the many interpretations critics offer reveals that the perforated sheet is a metaphor of veiling, carrying various meanings on how the rhetoric of veiling is used by Rushdie to comment on religious affairs, and, ultimately it is used as a political statement, commentary and a means of finding or asserting an identity. What seems to be missing from the discussion on the perforated sheet is the fact that the perforation can also be interpreted as a means of unveiling India. If Naseem Ghani’s body—the body that is unveiled through the perforated sheet by Doctor Aadam Aziz is the metaphorical India, the perforation or the hole of the sheet is a “peep-hole,” a lens through which India can be seen, understood and loved. With a big question of how Rushdie identifies India with Naseem’s body and a perforation on a sheet, this paper attempts at revealing Rushdie’s representation of India and his efforts of claiming what constitutes “India.”
Just like Doctor Aziz who loves Naseem (and her body) in fragments but not in her wholesomeness, it is safe to say that loving the diversity of a nation is dissimilar to loving the nation as a unity. Furthermore, the perforated sheet unveils women’s position in the narration of the nation and in the nation itself. The way Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children unveils India and represents the nation through “imagined Midnight’s Children” can be read as Rushdie’s way of using the narrative to reclaim his imagined India. (“Chapter-III Unveiling India through “the Perforated Sheet” - “Midnight's Children””)
The story is told reflectively by grown-up Saleem, who composes his unbelievable biography just before his demise, contrasting himself with Scheherazade, so as to caution his country and keep his kin from overlooking their past, since, as he says, the Indians "are a country of forgetters. There are snapshots of dread, yet they leave." Now the novel may be identified as self-portraying and Saleem`s caution may be taken as Rushdie`s claim of counsel to his Indian country. However, being composed in his novels may be taken as a notice for all countries overlooking their pasts oppressive autocrats. (Novianti)
Spittoon:
In "Midnight's Children," the spittoon emerges as a powerful and multi-layered symbol, transcending its literal function. It becomes a metaphor for the intricacies of memory and identity within the narrative. When Salim Sinai hits the spittoon, triggering memory loss, the symbolism extends beyond personal forgetfulness to encapsulate the delicate balance between remembering and forgetting. This transformation of a seemingly mundane object into a vessel of memory loss underscores the fragility of individual recollection and its profound impact on broader historical narratives.
Furthermore, the spittoon symbolizes the paradoxical nature of preservation and destruction. Traditionally associated with expelling waste, the spittoon in the novel becomes a vessel that embodies the tension between retaining memories and inadvertently erasing them. This duality reflects the broader theme of the burdens faced by nations with long histories—where memory, both personal and collective, becomes a weight that can be as challenging as the consequences of forgetfulness. Additionally, the spittoon takes on a political dimension, serving as a tool for manipulation. Characters experiencing memory loss become susceptible to political agendas, highlighting how the control of memory can be wielded as a potent instrument in shaping narratives and consolidating power. In essence, the spittoon in "Midnight's Children" becomes a rich and versatile symbol, encapsulating the complexities of memory, history, and political influence within the novel's thematic landscape.
Pickles:-
Salman Rushdie astutely acknowledges the intricate relationship between memory preservation and the culinary art in "Midnight's Children." Saleem, the protagonist, emerges not as an ordinary cook but as a culinary maestro crafting his unique creations beneath the saffron and green glow of his personal neon goddess. In this culinary realm, Saleem's chutneys and kasaundies become more than mere condiments; they are intricately connected to his nocturnal writings—a dual life of pickle-vats by day and literary endeavours by night. Saleem eloquently describes his role as a preserver, not only of fruits but, more significantly, of memories, shielding them from the corrosive influence of time.
The pickles in question aren't conventional cucumber pickles; instead, they symbolise mixtures of diverse ingredients melding together, exchanging flavours, and undergoing preservation. Saleem metaphorically labels each chapter as a "pickle," emphasising the process of amalgamation and preservation: "One empty jar... how to end? Happily, with Mary in her teak rocking-chair and a son who has begun to speak? Amid recipes, and thirty jars with chapter-headings for names?"
Whether through the curry of Saleem's genitals or the poisoning of food laden with emotional spices, Rushdie masterfully employs food as a literary device, offering readers fresh perspectives and starting points for a nuanced interpretation of the text. (Glasgow)
Knees and Noses:
In Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children," the symbolism embedded in knees and noses serves as a rich exploration of power, destruction, discovery, and discrimination. These bodily features take on a metaphorical significance, contributing to the thematic depth of the narrative.
Firstly, knees emerge as symbols of physical prowess and destruction. Shiva, a character in the novel, is suspected of employing his powerful knees to commit violent acts. The association of knees with strength and destruction reflects a dichotomy within the narrative, where physical prowess becomes a tool for both creation and annihilation. This duality in the symbolic representation of knees adds layers to character dynamics and the broader themes of power within the story.
Conversely, noses symbolize discovery and discrimination in "Midnight's Children." Salim Sinai, the protagonist, uses his nose as a tool for identifying a specific prostitute. This act of olfactory discrimination becomes a metaphor for the nuanced ways in which individuals navigate and interpret their surroundings. Noses, in this context, embody the idea that discovery often involves a keen sense of discernment, contributing to the novel's exploration of identity and perception.
Moreover, the juxtaposition of knees and noses within the narrative creates a compelling binary opposition, highlighting the interconnected themes of creation and destruction. The contrast between the physical power associated with knees and the sensory acuity linked to noses adds a layer of complexity to character relationships and the broader exploration of contrasting forces within the novel.
In essence, the symbolic representation of knees and noses in "Midnight's Children" offers a nuanced exploration of physical prowess, discovery, and discrimination. These symbols contribute to the multifaceted thematic tapestry of the narrative, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in the characters and their interactions.
References:-
“Chapter-III Unveiling India through “the Perforated Sheet” - “Midnight's Children.”” KL University, http://ir.kluniversity.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/368/03-chapter-iii.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y. Accessed 22 November 2023.
Glasgow, Philips W. “Pickles in Midnight's Children.” Postcolonial Web, https://www.postcolonialweb.org/pakistan/literature/rushdie/mcoickles.html. Accessed 23 November 2023.
Kumar, Prashant. “Midnight’s Children: An Allegory of Indian History.” Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education |, 2 October 2022, https://ignited.in/a/57702. Accessed 22 November 2023.
“Midnight’s Children: analysis and symbols of the book.” 16 June 2023, https://auralcrave.com/en/2020/06/07/midnights-children-analysis-and-symbols-of-the-book/?expand_article=1. Accessed 22 November 2023.
Novianti, Nita. “Unveiling India through “the Perforated Sheet” in Rushdie's Midnight's Children.” Academia.edu, https://www.academia.edu/10148444/Unveiling_India_through_the_Perforated_Sheet_in_Rushdie_s_Midnight_s_Children. Accessed 23 November 2023.
Rushdie, Salman. “Salman Rushdie.” Oxford Reference, https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100433765. Accessed 22 November 2023.
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