The Midnight's Children

 Thinking Activity:- The Midnight's Children

Hello Readers! This blog is a response to the thinking Activity which was assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Sinhji Bhavnagar University. In this blog I am going to discuss  some questions from the novel "Midnight Children's" by Salman Rushdie. 

Introduction of  Author:-

Salman Rushdie:-

Born:- 19 June, 1947

Salman Rushdie is a renowned British -Indian author and novelist who gained worldwide acclaim for his literary works, including his debut novel "Midnight Children's", which won the Booker Prize in 1947, in Bombay, India, Rushdie has had a prolific career spanning several decades.

Rushdie's writing is known for its intricate storytelling, rich prose, and blending of various cultural and historical elements. His works often explore themes of identity, migration, cultural clashes and the power of storytelling itself. While his writing is deeply rooted in his Indian heritage, it also reflects his experiences living in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Despite his literary success, Salman Rushdie became a controversial figure in the late 1980s due to the publication of his novel "The Satanic Verses", which sparked outrage and led to a fatwa issued against him by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989. This Fatwa forced Rushdie into hiding for several years, but he continued to write and publish during this tumultuous period.

Salman Rushdie's body of work includes novels, essays, and non-fiction pieces that have continued to Captivate readers around the world. His contribution to the literary world has earned him numerous awards and honors, and her remains an influential and thought - provoking figure in contemporary literature. Beyond his literary accomplishments, Rushdie's life story also serves as a testament to the enduring power of free expression and the importance of defending artistic freedom in the face of adversity.

His Notable Works:-

• Midnight Children's
• The Satanic Verses
• Victory City
• Shame
• Imaginary Homeland
• The Golden House
• The Enchantress of Florence
• Joseph Anton: A Memoir

Introduction of Novel:-

Midnight's Children is a 1981 novel by Indian British writer Salman Rushdie, published by 

Jonathan Cape with cover design by Bill Botten, about India's transition from British colonial rule to independence and partition. 

It is a post colonial, postmodern and magical realist story told by its chief protagonist, Saleem Sinai, set in the context of historical events. The style of preserving history with fictional account is self-reflective. 

Midnight's Children sold over one million copies in the UK alone and won the Booker Prize and James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1981. It was awarded the "Booker of Bookers" prize and the best all time prize winners in 1993 and 2008 to celebrate the Booker Prize 25th and 40th anniversary. In 2003 the novel appeared at number 100th on the BBC's The Big Read poll which determined the UK's "best-loved novels" of all time.

Themes of the Novel:-

• Religion
• Colonialism and Postcolonialism
• Identity and Nationality
• Fragmentation, 
• Memory and 
• Migration

In Salman Rushdie's"Midnight Children's", the themes of Fragmentation, memory and migration are intricately woven into the narrative, contributing to the complexity and depth of the novel. Here's an explanation of each of these themes:

Fragmentation:-

One of the Central aspects of "Midnight Children's " is the sense of personal Fragmentation experienced by the protagonist, Saleem Sinai, and other characters. Saleem is born at the exact moment of India's independence, and as a result, he sees himself as a representation of the nation itself. However, as he grows, he begins to feel fragmented , torn between different identities and allegiances. This personal Fragmentation mirror the larger post colonial experience of India, a nation grappling with its own divided identify.

 The novel reflects the broader Fragmentation of India as a newly independent nation. The country is divided along religious, linguistic, and cultural lines, leading to the partition of India into India and Pakistan, a traumatic event that shapes the characters lives and the narrative.

Memory:-

Memory is a recurring motif in "Midnight Children's". Saleem , as the narrator, acknowledges the unreliability of memory and the subjective nature of storytelling. His memory is selective, and he acknowledges that he may not remember events accurately. This emphasise the idea that individual and collective memories can be manipulated or distorted to serve particular narratives or agendas.

Rushdie uses memory as a narrative device to explore the connection between personal and national history. Saleem's memories are intertwined with the history of  india, and his personal experiences often reflect or parallel larger historical events. Memory becomes a way for the characters to make sense of their past and their identities.

Migration:-

"Midnight Children's" is a story of Migration on multiple levels. Many characters, including Saleem, migrate physically, leaving their ancestral homes for new places. This physical migration often reflects the larger migrations and displacement that occured during the partition of India. Additionally, there is a sense of cultural migration as characters navigate the complexities of India's cultural landscape. Migration in the novel is often accompanied by a sense of loss and displacement. Characters leave behind their homes and families surrounding, which can lead to feeling of root less ness and estrangement. This reflects the broader experience of many individuals and communities who were forced to leave their homes during times of political upheaval and conflict.

In the novel "Midnight Children's" these themes of Fragmentation, memory, and migration are interconnected and serve to highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of personal and national identity. They are central to the novel's exploration of how history, memory, and individual experience intersect and shape the characters lives and the broader narrative of postcolonial India.

Symbols in Midnight Children's:-

The Silver Spittoon:-

The Silver Spittoon given to Amina as part of her dowry by the Rani of Cooch Naheen is responsible for saleem's loss of memory. Even when he has amnesia, however, Saleem continues to cherish the Spittoon as if he still understands it's historical value. Following the destruction of his family, the silver Spittoon is the only tangible remnant of saleem's former life, and yet it too is eventually destroyed when saleem's house in the ghetto is torn down. Spittoon's once used as part of a cherished game for both old and young, gradually fell out of use: the old men no longer spit their betel juice into the street as they tell stories, nor do the children dart in between the streams as they listen. The Spittoon is the symbol of a vanished era, which, in retrospect, seemed simpler and easier. And so, although Saleem may not be able to recall the specific association between the Spittoon and his family, the Spittoon maintains its symbolic quality as both a container of memory and source of amnesia.

Perforated Sheet:-

The perforated sheet through which Aadam Aziz falls in love with his future wife performs several different symbolic functions throughout the novel. Unable to see his future wife as a whole, Aadam falls in love with her in Pieces. As a result, their love never has a cohesive unity that holds them together. Their love is fragmented, just as their daughter Amina's attempts to fall in love with her husband are also fragmented. 

The hole of the perforated sheet represents a portal for vision but also a void that goes unfilled. The Perforated sheet, in addition to preserving her purity, also reduces to her to nothing more than a voice. The sheet becomes a veil that separates her from the rest of the world and reflects her inability to accept affection.

Knees and Nose:-

Knees and Nose represents Shiva and Saleem. It's symbolise the power. When Aadam Aziz first knees down to pray, represent an act of prayer, as well as the submission and humility necessary faith. After hitting his nose on the ground, however, Aadam rejects that submission,  and a hole open up inside of him. Knees and Nose also become significant with farooq's death via a sniper bullet. Shot, Farooq first drops to his knees, then hits his nose on the ground. Just as Aadam bowed before God, Farooq bows before death. Knees and Nose just like Shiva and Saleem, destruction and creation, faith and humility are inextricably related.

Conclusion:- 

In essence, the conclusion of Midnight's Children leaves the reader with a sense of the enduring and complex relationship between individual and historical elements that shape their lives.  The novel Explores the themes of identity, memory and the postcolonial experience.  The novel also explores the symbols of Silver Spittoon, Pickles, Knees and Nose or  Perforated Sheet. Midnight's Children are a victims of their times.