Midnight's Children - a peek into India's Psyche

You might remember the unfortunate incident when Salman Rushdie was attacked on stage at the Chautauqua Festival in upstate New York  on Aug. 12, 2022. From that time, he has published another book called Victory City. It has been inspired by the real-life history of Vijayanagar, a once flourishing medieval Hindu Kingdom in South India. The book is a re-imagination of its collapse as a feminist fable about the lust for power and the power of stories. 

Before we review that book, let's have a peek into his earlier written masterpiece - Midnight's Children published in 1981. 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 clinched the "Booker of Bookers" Prize and the best all-time prize winners in 1993 and 2008 to celebrate the Booker Prize's 25th and 40th anniversaries. In 2003 the novel appeared at number 100 on the BBC's The Big Read poll which determined the UK's "best-loved novels" of all time.

What is Midnight's Children?

Midnight's Children is a novel by Salman Rushdie that was first published in 1981. The story is set in India and spans the period from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. It is a complex, multi-layered narrative that explores themes of identity, history, and politics in post-colonial India.

Who is the protagonist?

The novel is narrated by Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the exact moment that India gained independence from Britain. Saleem claims that he and 1,000 other children born at that moment possess special powers and are linked to one another. He sees himself as a representative of the “midnight's children” and their collective fate.

The Journey and experience

Saleem's life is closely intertwined with the history of modern India. He grows up in the country as it goes through major political and social changes, including the partition of India and Pakistan, the rise of Hindu nationalism, and the Emergency period imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Throughout the novel, Saleem reflects on these events and how they have shaped his own life and the lives of those around him.

As Saleem grows up, he discovers that his powers are both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they allow him to see into the hearts and minds of others, and on the other, they bring him into conflict with the state and its leaders. Saleem's experiences are also shaped by his family background and his relationships with those around him, including his parents, his wife, and his children.

Magical Storytelling

The novel is characterized by its rich and imaginative storytelling, as well as its blend of magic realism and historical fact. Rushdie weaves together a tapestry of myths, legends, and real-life events to create a vivid and captivating narrative that explores the complexities of Indian identity and history.

Key Themes

One of the central themes of the novel is the idea of identity and the ways in which it is shaped by history and politics. Saleem's own sense of self is constantly changing, as he grapples with his place in the world and the roles that are imposed on him by others. This is reflected in the fragmented and non-linear structure of the novel, which mirrors the fragmented and shifting nature of Saleem's identity.

Another important theme of the novel is the relationship between the individual and the state. Saleem is constantly in conflict with the state, which he sees as oppressive and limiting. He is also acutely aware of the power that the state holds over the lives of its citizens, and the ways in which it can manipulate and control their perceptions of the world.

The novel also explores the idea of history and the ways in which it can be used to shape and manipulate the present. Saleem sees himself as a historian, and he is constantly reflecting on the past and its impact on the present. Through his narrative, Rushdie critiques the official version of Indian history and exposes the ways in which it has been shaped and distorted by those in power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Midnight's Children is a complex and imaginative novel that explores themes of identity, history, and politics in post-colonial India. Through the life of Saleem Sinai, Rushdie gives us a vivid and captivating account of the country's history and its people, and reveals the ways in which their lives have been shaped by the forces of history and politics. The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern literature and continues to be widely read and studied today.