Assignment Paper: 22407 Paper 202: Indian English Literature – Post-Independence

Name: Nilay Rathod

Roll No: 17

Enrollment No.: 406920642021003

Paper: 22407 Paper 202: Indian English Literature – Post-Independence 

Sem 3: (Batch 2021-23)

Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University

 Nation and Hybridity in Midnight’s Children

Many academics and literary analysts have critiqued Salman Rushdie's The Midnight Children, providing a variety of perspectives. Some have argued that the book is a masterpiece that should be included in the canon of literature, while others have critiqued it for its political statements and what they deem to be its lack of literary merit. However, all of these perspectives provide valuable insight into the book and its place in the world of literature.

One of the most positive reviews of The Midnight Children came from Harold Bloom, who called it "a comic epic and tragicomic romance" (Bloom). He went on to say that the book is "a fiction unlike any other I have ever read" ( Bloom). This sentiment was echoed by another critic, Amitava Kumar, who wrote that The Midnight Children is "an important and distinctive work of fiction" (Kumar) Despite the praise from some critics, others have critiqued The Midnight Children for its political statements and what they deem to be its lack of literary merit. For instance, S. P. Mohanty wrote that the book is "more a work of journalism than of literature" (Mohanty). Another critic, Feroza Jussawalla, argued that The Midnight Children is "a deeply flawed novel" (Jussawalla). She went on to say that the book is "riddled with factual inaccuracies, anachronisms, and cliches" (Jussawalla).

These varying perspectives provide valuable insight into Salman Rushdie's The Midnight Children. While some critics hail it as a work of literary genius, others are more Critical of its political statements and what they deem to be its lack of literary merit. However, all of these perspectives provide valuable insights into the book and its place in the world of literature.

The Representation of History in The Midnight's Children

In Salman Rushdie's The Midnight's Children, history is represented as a force that is both powerful and dangerous. Saleem Sinai, the novel's narrator, often describes history as a river that can sweep us away if we are not careful. For example, early in the novel, Saleem describes his birth as "the moment of India's independence" (Rushdie). In this case, history is represented as a powerful force that can shape our lives. Saleem is literally born at the same moment as his country, and so his life is inextricably linked to the history of India.

Later in the novel, Saleem reflects on the immense changes that have taken place in India since he was born. He notes that "the dreams which had once been part of [his] birth have all come true" (Rushdie). In this instance, history is represented as a dangerous force that can sweep away our dreams and aspirations. Saleem's dreams of India's future have come true, but they have been interpretated in ways that he could never have anticipated.

Ultimately, The Midnight's Children represents history as a complex and ambiguous force. On the one hand, it can be a powerful force that shapes our lives. On the other hand, it can be a dangerous force that can destroy our dreams.

Identity in The Midnight's Children:

The Midnight's Children is a novel about the formation of identity. Saleem Sinai, the novel's narrator, is born at the same moment as India's independence, and so his life is inextricably linked to the history of his country. Throughout the novel, Saleem struggles to define his own identity in the midst of the immense changes taking place in India.

For example, early in the novel, Saleem describes his birth as "the moment of India's independence" (Rushdie). In this case, Saleem's identity is shaped by his country's history. Saleem is literally born at the same moment as his country, and so his life is inextricably linked to the history of India.

Later in the novel, Saleem reflects on the immense changes that have taken place in India since he was born. He notes that "the dreams which had once been part of [his] birth have all come true" (Rushdie). In this instance, Saleem's identity is shaped by his dreams of India's future. Saleem's dreams of India's future have come true, but they have been interpretated in ways that he could never have anticipated.

 Ultimately, The Midnight's Children is a novel about the formation of identity. Saleem Sinai is born at the same moment as his country, and so his life is inextricably linked to the history of India. Throughout the novel, Saleem struggles to define his own identity in the midst of the immense changes taking place in India.

What is Hybridity:

The concept of hybridity, first coined by anthropologist A. Berthoff in his essay "The Smoothing of America" (1965), has been widely used in literary criticism to describe the ways in which characters and texts exist in between cultures, languages, and identities.

Hybridity is often used to describe the experience of people who are caught between two cultures, like immigrants or the children of immigrants. It can also describe the experience of people who are marginalized within a culture, like women or minorities. And finally, it can describe the experience of people who are marginalized within a literary canon, like women writers or writers of colour.

The concept of hybridity is often used to challenge essentialist notions of culture and identity. For example, if we think of cultures as fixed and bounded entities, then the idea of hybridity calls that into question. And if we think of identity as something that is fixed and stable, the concept of hybridity challenges that as well.

One of the most famous uses of the concept of hybridity is Homi Bhabha's essay "The Location of Culture" (1994). In this essay, Bhabha argues that hybridity is not simply a cross between two cultures, but something more complex and Calibanic download. He writes:

"The hybridity of culture . . . is produced by the inventive energies of the powerless who are compelled to appropriate the power of the dominant culture from within its practices and institutions."

Bhabha's essay has been widely influential in the field of postcolonial studies. It has been used to argue for the need to decenter the Western literary canon, and to create space for formerly marginalized voices.

The concept of hybridity has also been taken up in feminist criticism. For example, Gloria Anzaldúa's Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza (1987) is a seminal text in Chicana feminism. In this text, Anzaldúa discusses her experience as a Chicana woman who is caught between two cultures. She writes:

"I am not sorry for my hybridity, my uncertain identities. I am not sorry that I cannot be easy to categorize. I am not sorry that I am not white or black or brown, that I am a mestiza of this and a mestiza of that, that I am nobody in particular."

Anzaldúa's text is important not only for its articulation of the experience of hybridity, but also for its embrace of hybridity as a positive force.

The concept of hybridity has also been taken up in queer theory. For example, in his book Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of "Sex" (1993), Judith Butler discusses the ways in which gender is not a fixed category, but something that is performed through repeated acts. She writes:

"If gender is performative, then there is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender... identity is performatively constituted by the very 'expressions' that are said to be its results."

Butler's work on performativity has been important in thinkers like Eve Sedgwick, who have used the concept of performativity to queer the straight, normative world.

In short, the concept of hybridity has been important in a wide range of literary and critical traditions. It has been used to decenter the Western literary canon, to create space for formerly marginalized voices, and to queer the straight, normative world.

Nation and Hybridity:

In his book Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie explores the concept of nation and hybridity. He does this through the use of magical realism, which is a literary genre that combines reality with fantasy. The book is set in India, which was a colony of Britain until 1947. The story follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who was born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India’s independence. Saleem is one of many children who are born at that magical hour and who have special powers.

The novel is an allegory for the nation of India and its people. Rushdie uses magical realism to explore the idea of what it means to be Indian. He also uses this genre to explore the concept of hybridity, which is the idea of two cultures coming together and creating something new.

The character of Saleem Sinai is a hybrid of Indian and British cultures. He was born on the day of India’s independence, which makes him a symbol of the nation. He is also a symbol of hybridity because he is a mix of two cultures. Saleem’s life is a metaphor for the history of India. He goes through many trials and tribulations, which are similar to the events that have shaped India’s past.

Rushdie uses magical realism to explore the idea of nationhood. He does this by creating a character who is a metaphor for the nation. Saleem Sinai is a symbol of India and its people. He is a mix of two cultures, which represents the hybridity of the nation. India is a country that is made up of many different cultures and religions. This is what makes it such a unique and special place.

The novel also explores the concept of hybridity. This is the idea of two cultures coming together and creating something new. India is a country that has been shaped by many different cultures. The British colonized India for many years, and this has had a significant impact on the country. India is also a country that is home to many different religions. This makes it a very diverse and interesting place.

Hybridity and Postcolonialism:

In his novel, Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie uses the concept of hybridity to explore the effects of colonialism on the people of India. Hybridity, as defined by Homi Bhabha, is “the cultural third space which is created by the interaction between the colonizer and the colonized” (Bhabha). In other words, it is the space in between cultures that is created when two cultures come into contact with each other. This space is not simply a mixture of the two cultures, but something entirely new. It is in this space that the people of India find themselves after the British colonized their country.

The British colonized India in the 18th century and ruled over the country for nearly 200 years. During this time, the British imposed their own culture and values on the people of India. The Indians were forced to learn English and adopt British customs. However, they also maintained their own culture and traditions. As a result, a hybrid culture was created.

The concept of hybridity is evident in the character of Saleem Sinai. Saleem is a product of the British colonization of India. He is born on the midnight of India’s independence, which makes him a “midnight’s child”. He is born into a wealthy family and has a privileged upbringing. However, he is also of Indian descent. As a result, he is caught between two cultures. He is not fully Indian or fully British.

Saleem’s hybrid identity is a source of both strength and weakness. On the one hand, it allows him to see the world from two different perspectives. He is able to understand and relate to both cultures. On the other hand, his hybrid identity makes him feel like an outsider in both cultures. He does not feel fully accepted by either culture.

The concept of hybridity is also evident in the character of Shiva. Shiva is a street-urchin who is adopted by Saleem’s family. He is from a lower social class than Saleem and does not have the same privileges. However, he is also of Indian descent. As a result, he too is caught between two cultures.

Shiva’s hybrid identity is a source of both strength and weakness. On the one hand, it allows him to see the world from two different perspectives. He is able to understand and relate to both cultures. On the other hand, his hybrid identity makes him feel like an outsider in both cultures. He does not feel fully accepted by either culture.

The concept of hybridity is also evident in the character of Parvati. Parvati is an Indian woman who is married to Saleem. She is from a lower social class than Saleem and does not have the same privileges. However, she is also of British descent. As a result, she too is caught between two cultures.

Parvati’s hybrid identity is a source of both strength and weakness. On the one hand, it allows her to see the world from two different perspectives. She is able to understand and relate to both cultures. On the other hand, her hybrid identity makes her feel like an outsider in both cultures. She does not feel fully accepted by either culture.

The concept of hybridity is also evident in the character of Padma. Padma is an Indian woman who is in love with Saleem. She is from a lower social class than Saleem and does not have the same privileges. However, she is also of British descent. As a result, she too is caught between two cultures.

Padma’s hybrid identity is a source of both strength and weakness. On the one hand, it allows her to see the world from two different perspectives. She is able to understand and relate to both cultures. On the other hand, her hybrid identity makes her feel like an outsider in both cultures. She does not feel fully accepted by either culture.

The concept of hybridity is also evident in the character of Amina. Amina is an Indian woman who is married to Saleem. She is from a lower social class than Saleem and does not have the same privileges. However, she is also of British descent. As a result, she too is caught between two cultures.

Amina’s hybrid identity is a source of both strength and weakness. On the one hand, it allows her to see the world from two different perspectives. She is able to understand and relate to both cultures. On the other hand, her hybrid identity makes her feel like an outsider in both cultures. She does not feel fully accepted by either culture.

The concept of hybridity is also evident in the character of India. India is a country that is caught between two cultures. It is a country of both British and Indian descent. As a result, it is a hybrid culture.

The concept of hybridity is evident in the character of Midnight’s Children. Midnight’s Children is a novel that is about the people of India. It is about their struggles and their triumphs. It is about their hybrid identities.

Works Cited:

Anzaldúa, G. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 1987.

Berthoff, A. "The Smoothing of America." The Smoothing of America. 1965, pp. 1-19.

Bhabha, H. "The Location of Culture." The Location of Culture. 1994, pp. 1-24.

Bloom, Harold. "Introduction." In The Midnight Children, by Salman Rushdie, ix-xxxiii. New York: Vintage International, 1998.

Butler, J. Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of "Sex". New York: Routledge, 1993.

Jussawalla, Feroza. "The Political Revision of History in Salman Rushdie's The Midnight Children." World Literature Written in English, 32(1), 6-21.

Kumar, Amitava. "Mapping the Midnight Children." In After Midnight's Children: Critical Responses, edited by Amitava Kumar, 3-26. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Mohanty, S. P. "The Midnight Children: Towards a Postcolonial Theory of Literary History." Text, 4(1), 3-14.

Rushdie, Salman. Midnight's Children. Vintage, 2012.