Midnight's Children

 

Hello Everyone,

This blog is a part of thinking activity based on topic of Salman Rushdie's Novel 'Midnight Childern'. In this blog I discuss the title justification, use of 'English' in this novel and also the connection of prime minister Indira Gandhi as well as the metaphor of Bulldozer in this novel.

About Novel :

Midnight’s Children, allegorical novel by Salman Rushdie, published in 1981. It is a historical chronicle of modern India centring on the inextricably linked fates of two children who were born within the first hour of independence from Great Britain.

Exactly at midnight on Aug. 15, 1947, two boys are born in a Bombay (now Mumbai) hospital, where they are switched by a nurse. Saleem Sinai, who will be raised by a well-to-do Muslim couple, is actually the illegitimate son of a low-caste Hindu woman and a departing British colonist. Shiva, the son of the Muslim couple, is given to a poor Hindu street performer whose unfaithful wife has died.       

Saleem represents modern India. When he is 30, he writes his memoir, Midnight’s Children. Shiva is destined to be Saleem’s enemy as well as India’s most honoured war hero. This multilayered novel places Saleem at every significant event that occurred on the Indian subcontinent in the 30 years after independence. Midnight’s Children was awarded the Booker McConnell Prize for fiction in 1981. In 1993 it was chosen as the best Booker Prize novel in 25 years.

Salman Rushdie :

Salman Rushdie (born June 19, 1947, Bombay [now Mumbai], India) is an Indian-born British-American writer whose allegorical novels examine historical and philosophical issues by means of surreal characters, brooding humor, and an effusive and melodramatic prose style. Because of his treatment of sensitive religious and political subjects, particularly in his novel The Satanic Verses (1988), Rushdie has been the target of death threats and violent attacks and a central figure in debates about free speech and censorship.

Postcolonialism :

Postcolonialism, the historical period or state of affairs representing the aftermath of Western colonialism; the term can also be used to describe the concurrent project to reclaim and rethink the history and agency of people subordinated under various forms of imperialism. Postcolonialism signals a possible future of overcoming colonialism, yet new forms of domination or subordination can come in the wake of such changes, including new forms of global empire. Postcolonialism should not be confused with the claim that the world we live in now is actually devoid of colonialism.

Postcolonial theorists and historians have been concerned with investigating the various trajectories of modernity as understood and experienced from a range of philosophical, cultural, and historical perspectives. They have been particularly concerned with engaging with the ambiguous legacy of the Enlightenment—as expressed in social, political, economic, scientific, legal, and cultural thought—beyond Europe itself. The legacy is ambiguous, according to postcolonial theorists, because the age of Enlightenment was also an age of empire, and the connection between those two historical epochs is more than incidental.

1. Justification of the Title :

* Thematic and Narrative Connection :

Salman Rushdie’s choice of the title Midnight's Children over Children of Midnight adds more depth to the novel’s themes and symbolism. While Children of Midnight is mentioned more often in the text—18 times compared to 11 mentions of Midnight's Children—the latter holds a stronger meaning. It suggests that the children belong to and are shaped by the moment of midnight, symbolizing the dreams and complexities of post-colonial India. The possessive form adds weight and rhythm, emphasizing how their fates are tied to the nation’s future. This title perfectly captures how individual lives are influenced by larger historical events, making it a powerful reflection of the novel’s key themes.

The title Midnight's Children also directly connects to the novel's main idea: the birth of a new nation (India) at midnight on August 15, 1947, along with the birth of the protagonist, Saleem Sinai, and a thousand other children. These children represent the nation's hopes, dreams, and challenges. The possessive form in the title highlights their collective identity as products of this significant moment, embodying both the potential and struggles of the newly independent country.

In contrast, Children of Midnight could be seen as a more general term for children born at midnight, losing the deeper link to the historical significance of that moment. It doesn't carry the same symbolic weight of midnight as a time of transformation and new beginnings.

*  Historical and Mythical Connection  :

Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight's Children strengthens the connection between the protagonist, Saleem Sinai, and both historical and mythical elements. Saleem isn't just any child born at midnight; he is one of the children whose lives are deeply intertwined with the fate of post-colonial India. The possessive form in Midnight's Children suggests that these children are tied to midnight, representing both the literal time of India’s independence and the symbolic moment of transition between the old and new, darkness and light.

The novel's mythical aspects, like the magical powers of the children, are also emphasized by this title. "Midnight" almost takes on the role of a character, a force that gives the children their special abilities and connects their destinies to the larger story of the nation. By using the title Midnight's Children, Rushdie highlights the relationship between the personal and the mythical, blending individual identities with the wider flow of history.

*  Impact on Thematic Exploration :

The title Midnight's Children highlights the novel's themes of identity, nationhood, and the passage of time. It underscores how the characters, especially Saleem, are shaped by the historical, cultural, and political forces around them. The possessive form suggests that the children are tied to midnight, as if their lives are defined by this pivotal moment in history. This adds a sense of inevitability to their existence, implying they can't escape the circumstances they were born into.

The title also allows Rushdie to explore themes of fragmentation and hybridity. Like the nation, the children are complex figures, made up of different influences, neither entirely one thing nor another. They carry both the hopes and the challenges of midnight, bearing the weight of the nation's future.

Additionally, a book's title can shape how readers perceive its themes and content, sparking curiosity. In Midnight's Children, this connection is clear.

2. Postcolonial Voices: Theoretical Lenses :

1. Edward Said – Orientalism: 

The novel Midnight's Children challenges the way the West has traditionally viewed the East as exotic, backward, and inferior, a concept known as Orientalism. Salman Rushdie turns these ideas upside down by telling Indian history from an Indian perspective, pushing back against Western narratives. Through magical realism, especially with Saleem Sinai's telepathic powers, the story rejects Western ideas of strict rationalism and creates a distinctly Indian narrative. By blending history with myth and fantasy, Rushdie offers a counter-narrative that resists simplifying Indian experiences. For instance, the Partition of India is not just presented as a historical event but as a deeply personal and surreal experience, emphasizing the complexities and traumas often overlooked by Western historians.

2. Homi Bhabha – Hybridity and The Third Space :

In Midnight's Children, hybridity plays a key role. Saleem Sinai, with his mixed heritage, represents the blending of cultures, religions, and languages, reflecting the complex identities of postcolonial India. Even the novel’s language, often called "chutnified," combines English with Indian languages and expressions, symbolizing this cultural mix. The story exists in a "Third Space," rejecting simple divisions like East/West or colonizer/colonized, and instead embracing a fluid, hybrid identity. Saleem’s telepathic connection with the other children of midnight reflects the interconnectedness of diverse identities within this "Third Space." 

3. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak – Subaltern Studies :

Gayatri Spivak’s idea of the subaltern—those marginalized and left out of history—can be seen in Midnight's Children through its focus on the lives of the poor, women, and minorities. The novel’s chaotic and fragmented structure reflects the disempowerment of these groups, challenging the straightforward, official histories that are usually shaped by the elite. For example, characters like Parvati-the-witch, who has magical powers, still remain subaltern figures, with their stories often overshadowed by the main narrative. By including these voices, the novel critiques how such characters are usually excluded from official historical accounts.

4. Frantz Fanon – Decolonization and National Consciousness :

Frantz Fanon’s ideas about the psychological impact of colonialism and the need for a national identity are clearly reflected in Midnight's Children. Saleem Sinai’s fractured sense of self represents the divided nature of postcolonial India, which is struggling to create a unified national identity. Fanon’s view of decolonization as a violent and chaotic process is seen in the novel's depiction of India's Partition and the difficulties the country faces after gaining independence. The personal struggles that Saleem goes through mirror India's challenge of reconciling its colonial past with its postcolonial reality, highlighting the difficulties in forming a unified national consciousness.

5. Dipesh Chakrabarty – Provincializing Europe

Dipesh Chakrabarty’s idea of "provincializing" Europe, or moving away from Eurocentric views, is addressed in Midnight's Children through its focus on Indian history and identity. The novel challenges the dominance of Western historical narratives by using magical realism, which allows for multiple perspectives that Western rationalism might reject. For instance, Saleem’s personal story is closely tied to India’s national history, and his narrative often critiques the straightforward, linear way European history is usually told. By blending myth, memory, and history, Rushdie reclaims Indian history from a colonial lens, presenting it as a rich, complex narrative.

6. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o – Decolonizing the Mind :

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s idea of "decolonizing the mind" involves rejecting the colonizer's language and embracing native languages and cultural expressions. While Rushdie writes Midnight's Children in English, he resists colonial influence by blending English with Indian languages, creating a "chutnified" English that mirrors India's linguistic diversity. This hybrid language is a form of resistance against the dominance of the colonizer’s language, in line with Ngũgĩ’s concept of decolonization. For example, the novel mixes English with Hindi, Urdu, and other Indian languages, crafting a unique literary style that reflects the rich cultural and linguistic mix of India.

7. Aime Césaire – Negritude and Colonial Alienation :

Aimé Césaire’s concept of Negritude, which emphasizes African identity and reclaiming black culture, finds echoes in Midnight's Children through Saleem Sinai’s search for his identity amid the effects of colonialism. While Negritude is rooted in the African experience, its themes of resisting cultural alienation and reclaiming identity are also relevant to postcolonial India. Saleem’s journey involves trying to reconcile his mixed identity, shaped by both native and colonial influences. The novel’s focus on India’s cultural heritage, including its use of myths, folklore, and traditional practices, represents a resistance to colonial alienation. For instance, the act of chutney-making in the story symbolizes the preservation and celebration of Indian culture, even under colonial influence.

3. The Role of 'English' in the Novel :

Salman Rushdie’s Midnight's Children is known for both its complex narrative and its creative use of English. Rushdie adapts English to fit the Indian context, crafting a version of the language that reflects the mixed nature of postcolonial Indian identity. His approach serves several purposes: it challenges colonial language norms, makes English more relevant to Indian experiences, and connects local and global perspectives.

In Midnight's Children, English functions as a pan-Indian language. Unlike earlier Indian English writers who often infused their English with regional influences, Rushdie creates a form of English that represents India's overall linguistic diversity. This reflects his idea of a unified yet diverse Indian identity, where English acts as a bridge between different languages and cultures. For example, Saleem Sinai, the protagonist, shifts between formal British English and colloquial Hinglish, showing his dual role as both an insider and outsider in postcolonial India. This blend captures the tension between tradition and modernity, and between native culture and colonial legacy, which is central to the novel's exploration of Indian identity.

*Chutnified or De-Doxified Forms :

Salman Rushdie’s use of English in Midnight's Children is a key part of his writing style, especially in how he adapts the language to reflect the complexities of postcolonial India. This adaptation is often called "chutnified" English, which highlights the mixed, hybrid nature of the language in the novel. It is also referred to as "de-doxified" English, which shows how Rushdie challenges and overturns traditional language norms.

* Chutnified English :

In Midnight's Children, Rushdie uses a form of English enriched with Indian vernacular, idioms, and cultural references. This "chutnified" English combines English with Hindi, Urdu, and other regional languages, reflecting India's linguistic diversity and challenging traditional English norms.

For example:

 In the dialogue between Padma and Saleem, phrases like "Eat, na, food is spoiling," where "na" is a common Hindi/Urdu filler and "food is spoiling" is less formal than "the food is getting cold," show this mix of languages. Similarly, the repetitive use of the word "sang" in "I sang while I worked" mimics the vernacular style common in Indian speech, such as "Maine gaate gaate kaam kiya."

Rushdie's use of chutnified English helps create an authentic narrative that mirrors Indian life, where multiple languages blend in everyday speech, reflecting the country's complex history and cultural exchanges.

4. Portrayal of the Emergency (1975-77) :

The Emergency in India, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, was a period when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a nationwide emergency. This allowed the government to bypass normal democratic processes, suspending elections and limiting civil freedoms. Officially, the Emergency was declared due to internal disturbances, but it led to significant human rights abuses, including the arrest of political opponents, press censorship, and forced sterilization campaigns.

The Emergency was triggered by a June 12, 1975 verdict from the Allahabad High Court, which found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral misconduct from the 1971 elections and barred her from holding public office for six years. To counter growing political opposition, she advised President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare the Emergency, citing threats to national security.

During this period, the government arrested many political leaders and activists, censored the press, and suspended fundamental rights. The forced sterilization campaign led by Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's son, aimed to control population growth but caused widespread coercion and suffering.

Economically, the Emergency brought some stability and allowed for certain development projects, but these were overshadowed by the undemocratic nature of the period and the suppression of political opposition.

The Emergency ended on March 21, 1977, when Indira Gandhi called for general elections. Her party, the Indian National Congress, suffered a major defeat, and for the first time, a non-Congress government came to power at the national level. The Emergency is remembered as a crucial event in Indian history, highlighting the dangers of excessive executive power and the importance of protecting democratic institutions.

Katherine Frank's insights on Salman Rushdie's depiction of the Emergency period and Character of Prime minister Indira Gandhi  :

Katherine Frank’s analysis of Salman Rushdie's portrayal of the Emergency period (1975-77) and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Midnight's Children sheds light on how Rushdie blends historical events with imaginative storytelling.

Historical Context & Rushdie’s Approach: 

The Emergency was a time of authoritarian rule in India under Indira Gandhi. Civil freedoms were suspended, the press was controlled, and political opponents were jailed, creating a climate of fear. Rushdie uses magical realism in Midnight's Children to depict this period, mixing real events with fantastical elements. For instance, the novel uses the forced sterilization campaign and the protagonist Saleem Sinai’s struggles as symbols of the broader repression and loss of freedom during the Emergency. Saleem’s memory loss during this time represents the erasure of personal and civil liberties.

Themes & Literary Representation: 

Rushdie portrays the Emergency as a dark, oppressive period, highlighting the loss of identity on both personal and national levels. The forced sterilizations are shown as a brutal misuse of power, reflecting the widespread human rights abuses of the time. Through Saleem’s experiences, Rushdie criticizes the arbitrary exercise of state power and the dehumanizing effects of authoritarianism. In the novel, Indira Gandhi is depicted as a powerful yet flawed leader. Rushdie portrays her actions during the Emergency as driven by political desperation and personal grudges, symbolizing the nation's crisis and the perils of concentrated power.

Katherine Frank’s Analysis: 

According to Frank, Rushdie’s depiction of Indira Gandhi is complex and multifaceted. He combines historical facts with his own creative interpretation, influenced by his mixed feelings about authoritative figures. Rushdie humanizes Gandhi by showing her vulnerabilities while also criticizing her authoritarian actions.

Symbolism: 

In the novel, Gandhi represents the mother figure, symbolizing the nation itself. Her actions during the Emergency, particularly the forced sterilization campaign, are depicted as attempts to control and dominate, similar to a mother’s control over her children. This control is shown to be harmful, leading to a breakdown in both family and national unity.

Frank’s insights, along with Rushdie’s narrative style, reveal the complexities of the Emergency and Gandhi’s character. Midnight's Children offers a critical look at authoritarianism and explores the emotional and psychological aspects of leadership during a national crisis. Indira Gandhi is presented not only as a political leader but also as a symbol of the troubled relationship between power and the people.

5. Metaphor of Bulldozer:

The metaphor of the bulldozer in Salman Rushdie's "Midnight’s Children" serves as a potent symbol of state power, destruction, and the erasure of identity, particularly during the Emergency period under Indira Gandhi's rule.

In Midnight’s Children, the bulldozer represents the authoritarian power of the state, especially during the Emergency period. It symbolizes the state's brutal force used to crush dissent and control people. This aligns with how bulldozers were actually used during Sanjay Gandhi's "beautification" drives, which demolished slums under the guise of urban improvement.

In the novel, the bulldozer is shown destroying communities, like when it razes the slum of the magicians. This scene highlights the cold, impersonal nature of the state's oppression, with the loudspeaker ordering people to leave before the bulldozer moves in. The bulldozer’s relentless advance mirrors the government's disregard for the lives of marginalized people.

The bulldozer also represents the erasure of personal and cultural history. For example, when Saleem Sinai’s cherished silver spittoon is destroyed by the bulldozer, it symbolizes the loss of his connection to the past. This destruction goes beyond physical damage; it signifies the obliteration of memory and identity under authoritarian rule. The spittoon’s loss leaves Saleem feeling unmoored, reflecting how the Emergency aimed to erase not just dissent but also cultural and historical identities.

Rushdie uses the bulldozer to emphasize how political power can dehumanize people. Characters affected by the bulldozer's destruction are depicted as being reduced to mere objects or shadows of their former selves. The bulldozer’s work leaves them covered in dust, making them appear like discarded furniture. This imagery underscores the state's ability to strip people of their humanity in pursuit of a controlled, sanitized vision of progress.

Overall, the bulldozer in Midnight’s Children is a powerful symbol of the authoritarian tactics used during the Emergency. It represents both physical destruction and the erasure of cultural and personal history, making it a poignant critique of authoritarianism and its dehumanizing effects. This metaphor remains relevant today, resonating with ongoing issues of state violence and oppression.

Reference :

Barad, Dilip. “Erasure and Oppression: The Bulldozer as a Toolof Authoritarianism in Midnight's Children.” Erasure and Oppression: The Bulldozer as a Toolof Authoritarianism in Midnight's Children, August 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383410297_Erasure_and_Oppression_The_Bulldozer_as_a_Toolof_Authoritarianism_in_Midnight%27s_Children. Accessed 8 September 2024.

Barad, Dilip. “Postcolonial Voices: Analyzing Midnight's Children Through Theoretical Lenses.” Postcolonial Voices: Analyzing Midnight's Children Through Theoretical Lenses, August 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383399335_Postcolonial_Voices_Analyzing_Midnight%27s_Children_Through_Theoretical_Lenses. Accessed 8 Sepetember 2024.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Midnight’s Children". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midnights-Children. Accessed 8 September 2024.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Salman Rushdie". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Salman-Rushdie. Accessed 8 September 2024.

DoE-MKBU. “Midnight’s Children | Mr. Rushdie and Mrs. Gandhi | Sem 3 Online Classes | 2021 07 14.” YouTube, 14 July 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mobzaun3ftI

Frank, Katherine. “Mr. Rushdie and Mrs. Gandhi.” Biography, vol. 19, no. 3, 1996, pp. 245–58. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23539764. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.

Ivison, Duncan. "postcolonialism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/postcolonialism. Accessed 8 September 2024.

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