Sunday, March 22, 2009
Discussion Question Post
In the book there is a lot going on in India. The conflict and culture really help set the scene in the story. How do you think the plot of the book would change if the setting wasn't in India and how have the historical and political events influenced the character's lives in the book?
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That's interesting to think about. Obviously, there would have to be some other sort of revolution or important event that would lead to the birth of magical children, because without Saleem's powers, there would be no story. There would be a lot of different cultural aspects, because India is such a unique place, and also because it has been so affected by the British influence. I'm sure it's possible that the story could take place somewhere else, but it would be very different.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't in the setting that Rushdie wrote about their really wouldn't be much of a story. Theres no way he could capture the same effect if the story took place in, for example Mexico. That is a completly different story.
ReplyDeleteWell there was a revolution and conflict in Mexico too so it possibly could've happened there. However I was referring to more of the culture for example there probably wouldn't be someone like Tai who doesn't bathe and floats around on a little raft in a lake if the story took place in the U.S. and if the story had taken place in U.S. then maybe Aziz never would have met Naseem because house calls for doctor's aren't really that common anymore and Rushdie would have to have found a different way for the two to meet. Also how many fathers that you know here only let strangers see a 7-inch part of their daughter? That probably would have been different if the setting wasn't in India also.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess we're pretty much all in agreement that the story would be completely different if it didn't take place in India. On the other hand, it would be cool to find out if there are any other books with a similar sort of central idea and then compare them to this one. I wouldn't be surprised if another author had been inspired by this book to write something in response to it.
ReplyDeleteI actually think the story could remain essentially the same if the setting were changed. Of course many details would change, especially since Rushdie describes Indian culture so much. But the general plot and many of the characters could exist anywhere. Most countries in the world have gone through revolutions, clashes between cultures occur all over the world, magical children could be born anywhere (in fictional stories), there are overprotective fathers and awkward marriages everywhere, etc... Many of the elements in this story are not exclusive to India.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura. I think that the story would remain basically the same. People can act the same anywhere, so I don't think that the setting would make a huge difference. I agree with Laura that the details would change, but not the entire story.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I agree that the story would be the same without the setting and cultural aspects. I feel like that's saying that toast would taste the same with jelly as opposed to butter. It may have the same essential ingredients, but the taste and everything would be very different. It's one big domino effect: the political events and culture affect the characters, the characters affect them, and the events (after being affected by the characters) in turn go on to change the characters once more in a new way. Does that make any sense whatsoever?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't even think there would be a story had this not taken place when it does. Rushdie centered this whole novel and all of the "children" around this specific time period. The political occurrences and historical events that take place influence everything that happens to these characters. India's independence is almost the reason for "midnight's children". Or maybe vice-versa. I disagree Laura. The culture and the reasons for everything that is happening are what impact the story in general. Its characters, the plot, the conclusion; everything.
ReplyDeleteTaylor, that makes perfect sense. I think that's what I was trying to say also. That's a tight analogy by the way: toast, jam, and butter.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot possibly say that someone's life would essentially be the same if they were born in the U.S. versus Africa! Setting is so important. The culture would be so incredibly different, which would automatically affect the lives of those living it. If you think about it, much of our character is based on where we're born, to whom we're born...etc. Oh, and thanks Rohini, I try my best.
ReplyDeleteTHe story would change dramatically because part of it is totally centered around India's independance and how Saleem is connected with it. Also, we see how living in a different country affects the charecters through Aadam, so if we had a bunch of characters like him, the story would change dramatically.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the book, I realize that the story would have been affected even more than I previously thought because of the change jn culture and how the novel revolves a lot arounf India.
ReplyDelete