Midnight's children

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This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on Midnight's Children and was assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir Department of English MKBU.In this task, we have to give answers of two questions from the question bank.

Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie is a highly acclaimed author known for his thirteen novels, including the Booker Prize-winning "Midnight’s Children" (1981), "The Satanic Verses," "The Moor’s Last Sigh," and "The Golden House." His diverse literary contributions extend to a book of stories titled "East, West" and four non-fiction works, including "Joseph Anton – A Memoir," "Imaginary Homelands," "The Jaguar Smile," and "Step Across This Line."

Rushdie's literary influence also extends to his role as the co-editor of "Mirrorwork," an anthology showcasing contemporary Indian writing, and the 2008 Best American Short Stories anthology. His upcoming novel, "Quichotte," was anticipated for release in the Fall of 2019 from Random House. In addition to his fiction, Rushdie's literary prowess is evident in his exploration of various genres and his contributions to the realms of storytelling and cultural commentary.

Salman Rushdie's "Midnight’s Children" not only earned the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981 but was also honored as the Best of the Booker through a public vote, recognizing it as the best winner in the award's 40-year history.

His literary impact extends globally, with translations of his books available in over forty languages. Beyond the written word, Rushdie showcased his versatility by adapting "Midnight’s Children" for the stage, with performances in London and New York by the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2004, an opera based on his work "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" premiered at Lincoln Center in New York City, highlighting the multidimensional nature of Rushdie's storytelling.

His influence in different mediums, a film adaptation of "Midnight’s Children," directed by Deepa Mehta, was released in 2012, bringing his acclaimed work to the cinematic realm.

Midnight's Children

"Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie is a novel that follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the exact moment when India gains independence at midnight on August 15, 1947. Saleem discovers that he and other children born in the first hour of independence possess special powers. As he grows, Saleem's life becomes intertwined with the tumultuous events in post-colonial India. The novel explores themes of identity, nationalism, and the complex relationship between individual lives and historical events. With magical realism and rich storytelling, Rushdie weaves a narrative that mirrors the political and social changes in India from its independence to the declaration of emergency in the 1970s.

1. Midnight’s Children as a Postcolonial novel.

Postcolonial theory is a method of interpreting and critiquing the cultural practices of colonialism, emphasizing that colonial power involves the exercise of determined powers of representation. Postcolonial literature responds to the discourse of colonization, exploring issues of decolonization and the political and cultural independence of formerly colonized people. It critically analyzes history, culture, and literature specific to former colonies of European imperial powers, with a focus on Third World countries.

Salman Rushdie, a prominent writer in postcolonial literature, is renowned for his politicized fiction. His novels, widely translated and sold in millions, have contributed to shaping the international literary landscape. While his fame extends beyond literary circles, particularly due to the 1989 Fatwa controversy, his work, especially "Midnight's Children" (1981), is acknowledged for its startling originality and its role in the emerging counter-canon of postcolonial fiction. Postcolonial theory, drawing from anti-colonial struggle, provides a framework for understanding and interpreting Rushdie's impactful contributions to literature.

Salman Rushdie predominantly focuses on politicized fiction, expressing a clear preference for works grounded in actuality rather than those purely based on fantasy. This inclination is evident in "Midnight's Children," where the narrator decisively rejects the fantastical and unplaced in favor of a narrative firmly situated in an identifiable geographical location and a specific moment in time.

The opening lines of narrator "I was born in the city of Bombay... once upon a time." However, the narrator quickly acknowledges the historical significance of the birth, stating, "No, that won't do, there is no getting away from the date: I was born in Doctor Narlikar's Nursing Home on August 15th, 1947." The precision of the time is also emphasized, with the narrator specifying, "On the stroke of midnight, as a matter of fact. Clock-hands joined palms in respectful greeting as I came."

The presence of the British is felt, but the story, itself, is one of Partition and division. Rushdie's use of All India Radio, Bollywood songs, as well appropriating Muslim and Hindu notions of reality help to enhance the Postcolonial understanding of the work. Being able to relay the basis of Partition as well as the Emergency from an indigenous point of view is also reflective of the Postcolonial elements of Midnight's Children. From a theoretical point of view, Rushdie wishes to deposit another vision of the narrative into the discourse, one that hopes to achieve voice and enhance dialogue. This becomes an element of the Post colonialism in the novel.

Midnight's Children is a typical example of a postcolonial novel that integrates the elements of magic realism into it. The author's intentional use of magic realism helps in bringing out the surreal and unreal dimensions of the Indian subcontinent and thereby making it a postcolonial work. By synchronizing the national history and the personal history, Rushdie narrates India's colonial past and postcolonial present. His narration of the nation is subjective and therefore history in the text is fragmented and, at times, erroneous.

2. Write short note on the title – Midnight’s Children.

"Midnight’s Children," a novel by Salman Rushdie, derives its title from a pivotal moment in the narrative that intertwines with the historical context of post-colonial India. The title encapsulates the unique and mystical connection between the protagonist, Saleem Sinai, and the other children born in the first hour of India’s independence on August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight.

The phrase "Midnight’s Children" symbolizes a generation that shares a collective destiny, marked by the tumultuous events surrounding India’s independence. The children born at this exact moment possess extraordinary powers, each reflecting the diverse and intricate tapestry of the nation's cultural, social, and political landscape.

The midnight hour becomes a metaphorical threshold, signaling the birth of a new nation and the simultaneous emergence of Saleem's telepathic abilities, linking him to the destinies of the other children. This interconnectedness represents the complex relationship between the individual and the collective, mirroring the larger themes of Rushdie's work, where personal narratives are interwoven with the grand sweep of history.

Moreover, the title "Midnight’s Children" conveys the idea of a transitional period, capturing the essence of a nation at the cusp of a new era. The children born at this precise moment serve as symbolic markers of the challenges and promises that accompany the birth of an independent India. The title resonates with a sense of historical weight, encapsulating the unique identity and shared destiny of a generation born into a pivotal moment in the nation's history.

In the broader context of the novel, the title not only serves as a descriptor for Saleem and his peers but also becomes a metaphor for the broader post-colonial experience. It reflects the complexity of navigating identity, the legacy of colonialism, and the challenges of forging a cohesive national narrative.

The title of Salman Rushdie's magnum opus, "Midnight’s Children," holds profound significance within the narrative as it alludes to a specific group of individuals—exactly 1001 children—born during the first hour after midnight on the momentous day of India’s independence, August 15, 1947. The mystical and magical nature of these births imbues the children with extraordinary powers, with the potency of their abilities directly correlated to their proximity to the stroke of midnight.

At the heart of this enchanting tale is Saleem Sinai, a central figure among the 1001 midnight’s children, whose self-discovery becomes intricately entwined with the destiny of the newly formed nation. The narrative unfolds as Saleem comprehends the telepathic connection he shares with the other midnight’s children, realizing that their fates are inextricably linked to the unfolding events of post-colonial India.

The metaphorical resonance of the title becomes apparent as Saleem, through his telepathic bonds with the other children, becomes a living embodiment of the nation's collective identity and destiny. The 1001 midnight’s children, including Saleem, symbolize the diverse and complex facets of India's society, each possessing unique powers reflective of the rich tapestry of the nation. This telepathic network serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of the people and the shared experiences that characterize the post-independence era.

In essence, Saleem and his telepathically linked counterparts represent the hope and aspirations of a newly independent nation. Their abilities mirror the potential and challenges faced by India as it navigates the complexities of nation-building. The title "Midnight’s Children" encapsulates not only the magical realism woven throughout the narrative but also the deeper exploration of identity, destiny, and the symbiotic relationship between individual lives and the collective fate of a nation in flux.

In conclusion, Salman Rushdie's choice of title is a masterstroke that encapsulates the magical, interconnected, and metaphorical dimensions of the narrative. "Midnight’s Children" serves as a testament to the transformative power of literature, where the fantastical elements mirror the intricate realities of a nation at the crossroads of history.

Word Count - 1557

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