Introduction:
Salman Rushdie has emerged as a highly contentious figure within the recent years among the Indian diaspora. His breakthrough came with the release of his monumental work, "Midnight's Children," which secured the prestigious Booker of Bookers award in 1993. This novel was later recognized in 2008 as the paramount achievement among Bookers winners spanning four decades. Notably, the novel encompasses various remarkable aspects, with one of its most distinctive features being Rushdie's ingenious narrative approach.
Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" introduces an entirely novel narrative technique, diverging significantly from conventional methods. Moreover, Rushdie set a precedent for exploring innovative narrative techniques and exploiting the potential of the English language. This groundbreaking approach steered Indian English literature into uncharted territories. William Walsh aptly lauds this technique, commending its fusion of magical elements, fantastical realms, unflinching realism, extravagant dynamism, intricate multi-faceted analogies, and a potent foundation of symbolism. Through this, Rushdie masterfully captures an unprecedented vitality within the novel that spans an exceptional scope and manner, achieving an unparalleled feat within the 150-year-old tradition of Indian novels in English.
The technique of first-person narrative:
In "Midnight's Children," Rushdie employs a first-person narrative technique, wherein characters are introduced well in advance of their actual appearance within the narrative. This approach deliberately cultivates a sense of anticipation and curiosity in the readers. The novel traverses a span of seventy-five years, encapsulating the historical trajectory of the Indian subcontinent. The central character, Saleem Sinai, serves as the narrator, recounting not only his own birth but also the birth of the Indian subcontinent. This narrative strategy skillfully blurs the constraints of chronological order.
Much like his counterpart in ancient Indian literature, Sanjay from the Mahabharata, who possesses the unique ability to perceive events from a distance and recounts the unfolding of the Kurukshetra war, Saleem Sinai similarly possesses a magical prowess. This extraordinary capability allows him to observe events from afar and delve into the thoughts of the readers. By harnessing this magical perspective, Rushdie weaves a narrative that transcends time and space, enriching the storytelling with a remarkable dimension.
The Use of Oriental and Western Techniques:
In "Midnight's Children," Rushdie adeptly integrates both Eastern and Western literary references. He pays homage to several writers and their literary contributions, notably drawing inspiration from Laurence Sterne's "Tristram Shandy," Gunter Grass's "The Tin Drum," Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," and Rudyard Kipling's "Kim." The novel's protagonist, Saleem, embodies a true cosmopolitan identity, embracing elements of Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity—a reflection of India's diverse religious and cultural amalgamation.
"Midnight's Children" challenges the notion of a homogenous Hindu worldview dominating Indian society, as Saleem's experiences and interactions underscore a rich tapestry of pluralism. Rushdie's narrative structure is also indebted to sources like the Punch Tantra and Kathasaritsagara. Through these creative choices, Rushdie crafts a narrative that harmoniously weaves together a multitude of literary influences, giving rise to a work that resonates with both Eastern and Western literary traditions.
Magic realism:
In "Midnight's Children," Salman Rushdie employs the technique of magic realism, a term originally coined by German art critic Frantz Roh in 1925 to describe tendencies observed in the works of certain German painters during the early twenties. However, this term found its initial literary application through the Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier in the late 1940s. Essentially, magic realism emerged as a distinctive Latin American phenomenon characterized by the infusion of supernatural elements into narratives rooted in reality. Notable writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Jorge Amado embraced this innovative approach. Key characteristics of this style include the interweaving of the realistic and the fantastical, the fusion of natural and supernatural elements, the deft manipulation of time shifts, and the incorporation of dreams, myths, fantasies, and fairy tales.
Salman Rushdie has notably crafted critically acclaimed magical realist novels, with "Midnight's Children," "Shame," and "The Satanic Verses" showcasing this technique. Upon engaging with "Midnight's Children," it becomes apparent that the entire narrative is a seamless blend of reality and imagination, effortlessly oscillating between the tangible and the illusory.
Numerous instances within "Midnight's Children" exemplify Rushdie's utilization of magic realism to shape the novel's foundation. The protagonist, Saleem Sinai, possesses an extraordinary sense of smell that enables him to delve into the thoughts and emotions of others. This extraordinary gift mirrors that of his grandfather, Adam Aziz, who also shared a remarkable nose and its magical capabilities. A poignant illustration of magic realism occurs during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, wherein Adam's potent sneeze diverts his destiny and infuses humor into a historically significant event.
Rushdie's manipulation of magic realism extends to pivotal moments within "Midnight's Children." For example, Saleem Sinai's incredible sense of smell, akin to his grandfather's, becomes a vital element that aids in their survival during critical junctures. The potency of Adam's sneeze evokes a blend of humor, empathy, and trepidation among readers, skillfully demonstrating Rushdie's adeptness at harmonizing magic realism with the gravity of India's history.
In this manner, the author deftly employs magic realism to illuminate profound facets of reality through an imaginative lens, effectively weaving a narrative that resonates with both historical truths and imaginative allure.
The Cinematic Elements:
The impact of the Bombay film industry on "Midnight's Children" is unmistakably apparent within its narrative. Rushdie extensively adopts the structure of the Bombay film industry, finding in it an ideal template for his novel. This alignment closely ties the novel to the characteristics of Hindi cinema. Recognizable narrative tropes, such as mistaken identity exchanges, and familiar cinematic character archetypes, such as the virtuous "ayah" Mary Pereira, evoke the essence of Bombay cinema. Notably, the switch between Shiva and Saleem during their births stands out as the most prominently discussed cinematic element within "Midnight's Children."
Rushdie himself addresses this cinematic technique in his essay "Midnight's Children and Shame," wherein he comments on its significant impact. He describes it as a melodramatic tool that emerges from the sensibilities of the Bombay Talkies era, reflecting a notion inherent to the film-centric city. He emphasizes that such notions belong to the essence of these cities, shaping the characters not solely as products of their parents but as offspring of time, a reflection of history's influence.
Other cinematic elements echo throughout the novel, including the juxtaposition of virtuous natural mothers and malevolent stepmothers, along with the contrast between righteous male protagonists and their villainous counterparts. A prime example emerges in the character of Shiva, Saleem's alter-ego, who seamlessly embodies both the role of the rebel hero and the antagonist akin to Bombay film conventions.
Considering the reach and influence of Bombay cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, its impact on the Indian psyche is undeniable. The narrative's integration of cinematic elements speaks to the profound impression of cinema on Indian culture, skillfully aligning with the essence of the Bombay film industry.
Cornification of various languages:
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Rushdie's adept adoption of innovative narrative techniques has rendered "Midnight's Children" a work of fiction that is intricate and intellectually stimulating. This complexity, combined with the exceptional content and its masterful execution, has elevated the novel to a distinguished status. Rushdie's novel not only stands out for its content but also for its pioneering narrative approach, placing him at the pinnacle of Booker Prize winners over the past twenty-five years.
The following video of prof. Dilip Barad will help you to understand the various aspects of the novel "Midnight's Children"
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