Illustrating History and Nationalism in Indian English Novel: A Critique

Abstract

Aims: The present research paper titled “Illustrating History and Nationalism in Indian English Novel: A Critique” aims at investigating how Indian English Novels from various time periods engage with the historical events and socio-political contexts of their respective areas to reflect or challenge or support nationalist ideologies. It also aims to examine the influence of British colonialism on the development of Indian English novel and its portrayal of nationalism, considering how novelists demonstrate the complexities of colonial rule. The paper also aims to examine how Indian English novel penned after India’s independence address issues of nation-bulling, identity, and postcolonial nationalism. These aims provide a comprehensive framework for this paper that delves into complex relationship between history and nationalism in Indian English novels.

Methodology and Approaches: The paper is largely based on elaborations of the insights given in Raja Roa’s Kanthapura, Arun Jushi’s The Strange Case of Billy Biswas, Shashi Deshpade’s The Binding Vine, Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, Shashi Tharoor’s The Great Indian Novel, and Arvind Adiga’s The White Tiger. A comparative approach is employed to highlight the similarities and difference in how different authors and novels approach the themes of history and nationalism.

Conclusion and Suggestions: The paper has delved into the intricate relationship between history and nationalism in the selected novels, wherein the novelists grapple with the complexities of their nation’s history. They also contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding identities, colonialism, and post-independence realities. In this area, future research promises to uncover new layers of meaning and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on nationalism and identity in a globalized world.