Thinking Activity
This blog is written in response to the thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir on Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island.
Amitav Ghosh:
Amitav Ghosh, born July 11, 1956, is an acclaimed Indian author known for novels exploring national and personal identity, notably in India and Southeast Asia. Awarded the Jnanpith Award in 2018, he spent years teaching before becoming a full-time writer. His diverse works include "The Circle of Reason" (1986) and "The Shadow Lines" (1988). Ghosh delved into science fiction with "The Calcutta Chromosome" (1995) and explored historical narratives with "Sea of Poppies" (2009) and the Ibis trilogy. His recent works like "Gun Island" (2019) and "Jungle Nama" (2021) touch on climate change. In 2018, he became the first English-language writer to receive the Jnanpith Award.
Gun Island:
Gun Island is a novel written by Amitav Ghosh in 2019 which traces the familiar cross cultural patterns in his earlier novels. The narrative involves journeys, diaspora, and experiences at sea, addressing environmental issues like climate change and ecological threats, consistent with themes in "The Hungry Tide" and "The Great Derangement."
The story follows Deen, a rare book scholar from New York, who returns to the Sunderbans in West Bengal to unravel the legend of a seventeenth-century merchant, Bonduki Sada-gar, and his conflict with the mythical goddess Manasa Devi. Ghosh describes the merchant as a symbol for trade and profit, exploring the tension between economic interests and ecological concerns, symbolized by the goddess's pursuit of the merchant. As Deen investigates further in Venice, he discovers a connection between the merchant's name and the old Arabic name for Venice, al-Bunduqevya, meaning guns. Ghosh contrasts the historical journey of the prosperous Gun Merchant with the contemporary struggles of Bangladeshi migrants facing challenges and opposition in Venice.
Ghosh portrays a diverse range of characters from different countries, blending myth and history, fact and fiction. "Gun Island" juxtaposes nostalgia for a lost past with contemporary concerns, offering a rich exploration of cultural, environmental, and human complexities.
In simple words, Cli-Fi- Climate fiction is literature that deals with the climate change. Climate fiction aims to raise awareness about climate issues and increase socio-political consciousness. It often depicts changing environments due to human impacts.
The term ‘Climate Fiction’ (in short, cli-fic) is coined by Climate Activist Dan Bloom while noting the articles from Scientific American. He observed that most of the popular science fiction novels concentrate on the rapid changing of weather. With his perception, many critics and writers contribute their ideas on this genre. (Gnanambigai) Ghosh wrote many novels with the back drop of climate change and global warming including The Great Derangement, The Hungry Tide and Gun Island. The novel, ‘Gun Island’ by Amitav Ghosh develops our understanding of a new genre known as ‘Cli-Fi’. The novel is of course about myths and crosscultural narratives but parallel, Amitav Ghosh emphasizes Climate change within the culture and region in which the novel is set. It depicts climate disasters like cyclones, floods, wildfires, and their effects on humans and non-humans.
In the novel, Amitav Ghosh emphasizes the impact of climate change on the lives of the characters. The narrative is not merely a work of fiction but a reflection of real-life events and consequences of climate change. The characters are profoundly influenced by the devastating effects of climate change, particularly cyclones and floods. He draws from actual instances to make his points more compelling and relevant. The people of West Bengal and Bangladesh are depicted as victims of cyclones and floods, which leave them destitute as their lands are ravaged by these natural calamities. The encroaching sea during such events makes it challenging for them to access potable water and food, as their lands are submerged.
The novel begins with the mystery of Sundarbans and in contrast, ends with the enlightenment in Sicily. Ghosh develops the world in which every major character escape from one disaster to fall in another disaster like the gun merchant of seventeenth century who elopes from the trap of Manasa Devi, the goddess of snake. Deen comes to Calcutta to spend his winter vacation. His causal visit to the shrine in Sundarbans changes his whole life in the novel. Ghosh creates Deen, in the place of Gun Merchant of seventeenth century. Deen follows the footsteps of the old hero and then find out the connection between the past and the present. Ghosh presents Gun Island with the backdrop of climate changes of the world. The characters witness the disasters in the novel. Nilima Bose, who runs an NGO, serves as a voice for the victims of these calamities. She informs Dinanath about the hardships endured by the people and recounts the devastating impact of the Cyclone Bhola in 1970.
“In West Bengal it was the Sundarbans that absorbed the impact of the cyclone. Lusibari, the island where Nilima and her husband lived, suffered a great deal of damage: a large chunk of the island was ripped away by the storm surge, houses and all. The damage to Lusibari was, however, a pale shadow of what was visited on the islands and settlements to its south…….
On each outing they saw horrific sights: hamlets obliterated by the storm surge; islands where every tree had been stripped of its leaves; corpses floating in the water, half eaten by animals; villages that had lost most of their inhabitants. The situation was aggravated by a steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan. For several months people had been coming across the border, into India, in order to escape the political turmoil on the other side; now the flow turned into a flood, bringing many more hungry mouths into a region that was already desperately short of food.”(Ghosh)
The second cyclone hit the same place in 2009, called “Cyclone Alia”.
In the novel, when Nilima visited the shrine of Mansa Devi, it was easy to go there. But later when Dinanath went to see the shrine, the place was quite muddy and full of water, suggesting that the water had reached the shrine. This was the reason why Nilima Bose wanted Dinanath to take note of the shrine, which may no longer exist.
“.....I believe the dhaam’s still there, but who knows how much longer it’ll remain? The islands of the Sundarbans are constantly being swallowed up by the sea; they’re disappearing before our eyes. That’s why I feel that some record should be made of it; for all I know that temple might be an important historical monument.”(Ghosh)
The climate change causes the migration of humans as well as animals and insects. The novel incorporates the wildfire in Los Angeles and the hightide in Venice.
Because of the rising temperature of Earth, insects find it difficult to adapt to climate conditions. Lisa is doing research on Bark Beetles that are insects which are lived by eating the leaves of the trees. But, in the mountain areas, those kinds of beetles are rare, and even eat up the whole tree for survival. That generates “a long drought” (109) and “a huge wildfire” during the conference which celebrates the seventeenth-century edition of The Merchant of Venice in Los Angeles. At the time, there is a long wildfire spreading in and around Los Angeles. Due to this wildfire, the conference venue was changed to a safer place.
The reference of snakes at the beach in Los Angeles and the reason was explained that it is due to the climate change that the snakes are also migrating. as Cinta says,
"These snakes generally lived in warmer waters, to the south, but sightings in southern California had become increasingly common: their distribution was changing with the warming of the oceans and they were migrating northwards...."
In The Journey of the Gun Merchant, he also encounters various calamities.
While going to rescue Tipu, Dinanath and Piya encounters tornado.
In the novel, there are various research is done or being done by its characters which is related to the climate change. One of them is of Piyali Roy on Dolphins. It is due to the industrial waste that the nearby climate and rivers are spoiled and thus dolphins dies due to this. Because of the rapid climates, she clears that not only humans are affected but also, animals are also suffocating. Through Piya, Ghosh points out that the chemical fertilizers that humans are using can reduce the oxygen level of the water.
Amitav Ghosh uses the Myth of the Gun Merchant ‘Bonduki Sadagar’ and Manasa Devi to initiate discussion on the issues of climate change, migration, the refugee crisis, and human trafficking. The protagonist of the novel, Dinanath Dutta is a dealer of rare books who was also a researcher on folklore. His study of various folklore is quite different as he believes that folklores are just stories and have nothing to do with reality. However, the myth of Gun Merchant and Manasa Devi which is told by Nilima Bose in which the Gun Merchant refuses to be the devotee of Manasa Devi, travels across the globe to escape from Manasa Devi.
In "Gun Island," Amitav Ghosh skillfully weaves the myth of the Gun Merchant, Bonduki Sadagar, and the goddess Manasa Devi to engage in discussions on critical global issues. The Gun Merchant serves as a metaphor for the environmental impact of unchecked profit-driven activities, drawing attention to climate change. Manasa Devi, the mythical goddess, symbolically advocates for the protection of the natural world, emphasizing the need for collective environmental awareness.
The exploration of the name Bonduki Sadagar leads to the discovery of the exploitation of Bangladeshi migrants as illegal labor in Venice. Ghosh connects historical trade routes with contemporary human trafficking, highlighting the challenges and exploitation faced by migrants in their hazardous journeys. The novel also addresses the strong opposition and resistance encountered by illegal migrants in Venice, offering a commentary on the current global refugee crisis. Through these narrative elements, Ghosh skillfully intertwines myth and contemporary issues, providing a nuanced exploration of climate change, migration, the refugee crisis, and human trafficking.
Amitav Ghosh often employs the etymology of common words to add layers of meaning, mystery, and suspense to his narratives. In "Gun Island," for instance, Ghosh explores the etymology of the name "Bonduki Sadagar," initially thought to mean "Gun Merchant." This linguistic exploration becomes a tool for sustaining mystery in the narrative. As the protagonist, Deen, delves into the origins of the name, he uncovers that the old Arabic name for Venice was al-Bunduqevya, also related to the word for guns.
This linguistic revelation introduces ambiguity and intrigue into the story. The initial assumption that the name refers to a merchant dealing in guns is challenged, and a new interpretation emerges - the Merchant who went to Venice. The shift in understanding alters the trajectory of Deen's investigation and adds an element of suspense, keeping the reader engaged in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the characters and their histories.
By intertwining the etymology of common words with the plot, Ghosh not only sustains suspense but also underscores the interconnectedness of language, history, and the narrative's thematic elements. This literary device enhances the depth of the storytelling, inviting readers to actively participate in decoding the layers of meaning embedded in the words, contributing to the overall richness of the narrative experience.
4. What are your views on the use of myth and history in the novel Gun Island to draw the attention of the reader towards contemporary issues like climate change and migration?
Amitav Ghosh's adept use of myth and history in "Gun Island" serves as a compelling narrative strategy to illuminate contemporary issues like climate change and migration. By seamlessly weaving the myth of the Gun Merchant and the goddess Manasa Devi into the story, Ghosh creates a symbolic framework that resonates with broader concerns.
The Gun Merchant becomes a metaphor for profit-driven human activities, emphasizing the repercussions of unchecked trade on the environment. Manasa Devi, a mythical figure, embodies the voice of nature, advocating for environmental awareness and protection.
The exploration of historical trade routes and the name Bonduki Sadagar grounds the narrative in a real-world historical context, accentuating the ongoing impact of past actions on contemporary challenges. The novel suggests that understanding historical trade patterns is essential for addressing modern issues.
Ghosh's narrative deftly draws attention to climate change as a consequence of human actions, using the Gun Merchant's journey as a metaphor for the environmental impact of trade and profit-seeking behaviors.
The connection between the Gun Merchant's name and migrant exploitation in Venice establishes a poignant link between historical trade routes and contemporary challenges of migration and human trafficking. Ghosh highlights the enduring nature of human struggles across different time periods.
In essence, Ghosh's masterful use of myth and history in "Gun Island" elevates the narrative, creating a thought-provoking exploration of the interplay between past and present. The novel engages readers in reflecting on the consequences of human actions on the environment and the complex issues surrounding migration in the modern world.
Yes, there is a thematic connection between Amitav Ghosh's "The Great Derangement" and "Gun Island." Both works share a focus on environmental concerns and climate change, examining the profound impact of human actions on the natural world.
In "The Great Derangement," Ghosh explores the cultural and historical reasons behind society's apparent inability to address the imminent threats of climate change. He critiques the lack of representation of climate change in contemporary literature and examines how the narrative techniques of the modern novel may contribute to this derangement.
"Gun Island" delves into environmental issues, particularly climate change, as one of its central themes. The novel weaves together the myth of the Gun Merchant, historical trade routes, and the goddess Manasa Devi to symbolize the consequences of human actions on the environment. The narrative draws attention to the interconnectedness of past and present, with the Gun Merchant's journey serving as a metaphor for the environmental impact of trade.
The thematic overlap lies in both works' engagement with environmental issues, making them complementary in their exploration of humanity's relationship with the natural world. While "The Great Derangement" focuses on the cultural and literary aspects of climate change, "Gun Island" integrates these concerns into a fictional narrative, using myth and history to amplify the ecological message. Together, the two works offer a comprehensive reflection on the urgent need to address and understand the challenges posed by climate change.
Recently, in 2024, Amitav got is awarded by Erasmus Prize for writings on climate crisis.(Read More...)
References:
Ghosh, Amitav. Gun Island: A Novel. Penguin Random House India Private Limited, 2019.
Gnanambigai, S. Sathiya. “CLIMATE FLUCTUATIONS, DECAMPMENT AND SUBJUGATION IN AMITAV GHOSH’S GUN ISLAND: A CLIMATE FICTION.” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES IN BIOSCIENCES, AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, no. 17, 2021, pp. 253-261.
“Indian literature | Ancient Texts, Epic Poems & Modern Works.” Britannica, 17 February 2024, https://www.britannica.com/art/Indian-literature. Accessed 21 February 2024.
Joshi, Rita. “Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh.” World Literature Today, 2019, https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2019/autumn/gun-island-amitav-ghosh. Accessed 21 February 2024.
Scroll Staff. “Author Amitav Ghosh wins Erasmus Prize for writings on climate crisis.” Scroll, 8 March 2024, https://scroll.in/latest/1064898/author-amitav-ghosh-wins-erasmus-prize-for-writings-on-climate-crisis?fbclid=IwAR3HiWpM4xlgP6q1umZSweGbltBHW6nbQ58Sx1KHY8v7gkefLZdmF7cFCiA&sfnsn=wiwspwa&mibextid=VhDh1V. Accessed 13 March 2024.
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