In Michael Ondaatje’s novel The English Patient, the notions of alterity and history play an important and interconnected role. It is set in the last days of World War II and is full of historical hints. The characters in the novel spend the last days of the war in a villa in Italy. Hana, the Canadian nurse, and her patient, whose identity is unknown at first as he is deformed after a plane crash, form an alternative community. Caravaggio, who worked for British Intelligence in North Africa, and Kip, an Indian Sikh and sapper in the British army, are the other two members of this community. The author himself stated in the acknowledgements that “characters who appear are fictional, as are some of the events and journeys” (322). Now the question arises, to which extent these characters and events are based on “true” historical facts. But parallel with this the question of “historical truth” is raised. Hence, this paper will discuss in which way and why Ondaatje fictionalised historical material. Furthermore, the novel deals with the way history is written and shows through its fragmented style of narration the various ways history is recorded and the problems of “historical truth” as a universal concept.
Strongly connected with Ondaatje’s treatment of history is the notion of the Other in the novel. To understand the way alterity is used it is necessary to give a short definition of the term and to outline its relevance in literary theories. The notion of alterity is concerned with the definition of identity in contrast to the Other. In The English Patient, the East as the Other and the Western treatment of this concept of Otherness are represented, on the one hand, by the various characters in the novel as they try to reconstruct their identity by depicting the Other. This will be shown especially in the case of the English Patient and Kip. On the other hand, the notion of alterity can be found in the novel’s intertexts which illustrate how the concept of Otherness was treated by authors and historians and in which way the characters in the novel are dealing with it.
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 History
2.1 Historical Background of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient
2.2 Representation of Recording of History in The English Patient
3 Alterity
3.1 Definition
3.2 Alterity in the Case of Kip
3.3 Alterity in the Case of the English Patient
3.4 Alterity in the Novel’s Intertexts
4 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the interconnected themes of history and alterity in Michael Ondaatje’s novel "The English Patient." It investigates how the author fictionalizes historical material, challenges the notion of universal historical truth, and utilizes the concept of "the Other" to explore identity formation within a postcolonial framework.
- The construction and subjectivity of history in literature.
- The role of "Otherness" and identity in postcolonial contexts.
- Hybridity and binary oppositions (East/West, Colonized/Colonizer).
- The impact of intertextuality on the narrative and character development.
- The influence of personal trauma and the experience of war on historical perspectives.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Alterity in the Case of the English Patient
The English Patient is a dark and mystical person without identity. After his plane crash, his face and body are unrecognisable and his race and origin can not be seen anymore. His skin is so badly burned that it is has “the colour of aubergine” (4), “beyond purple” (3) and is often referred to as “black” (3). Nevertheless, the Bedouins who find him label him as English, as well as the soldiers on the English base where he is brought by them. Identity is in this case is, first of all, defined by nationality. They try to put this mysterious man into a category to find a way to cope with him. When he talks to Hana, he starts to define himself in contrast to the Bedouins who found him who take the part of the Other (Hilger 2005: 39).
Another marker of his identity is language which also makes him a mystical character connected to Otherness. He speaks various languages like English, German, Greek and Arabian dialects and as he is originally Hungarian, he might speak even more languages. This creates mystery around him as his identity is not easy to define and although he is labelled the “English” Patient, it is emphasised through the novel that the others do not know anything about him for sure (Hilger 2005: 40). This contradiction of being English and a non-white appearance and his exotic encounters in the desert accentuate the uncertainty about identity even more (Ty 2000: 11). In fact, the English Patient has various identities as he is presented as count, lover, spy, geographer, loner and poet. This variety of characters is projected on the faceless tabula rasa (Younis 1998: 4). When in the end his real nationality is revealed, it is ironic that he is Hungarian.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the core themes of alterity and history, contextualizing the novel within the final days of World War II and stating the paper's aim to analyze Ondaatje’s fictionalization of historical truth.
2 History: This section explores how the novel engages with historical facts and the subjectivity of record-keeping, questioning the validity of universal historical narratives.
2.1 Historical Background of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient: An analysis of the real-life historical figures and events that inspired the novel, contrasting them with Ondaatje’s fictional creative choices.
2.2 Representation of Recording of History in The English Patient: Focuses on the fragmented narrative style and the role of intertexts like Herodotus’ "The Histories" in illustrating how personal perspective shapes the recording of history.
3 Alterity: Provides a theoretical framework for "the Other" and sets the stage for exploring how characters navigate identity in relation to this concept.
3.1 Definition: A brief overview of the philosophical and literary definitions of alterity, tracing its roots from Husserl to postcolonial discourse.
3.2 Alterity in the Case of Kip: Examines the character of Kip, analyzing his hybrid identity as an Indian sapper and how he experiences both inclusion and exclusion within Western contexts.
3.3 Alterity in the Case of the English Patient: Analyzes the identity-less English Patient, exploring how he serves as a "screen" for other characters and how his own colonial history influences his perception.
3.4 Alterity in the Novel’s Intertexts: Explores the influence of texts like Kipling’s "Kim" and Herodotus’ "The Histories" on the novel’s depiction of the East and the West.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes how Ondaatje deconstructs binary oppositions and emphasizes the complex, often conflicting nature of identity in a multicultural, postcolonial world.
Keywords
Alterity, History, Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient, Postcolonialism, Hybridity, Identity, Otherness, Literary Theory, World War II, Herodotus, Rudyard Kipling, Narration, Mapping, Colonialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the intricate relationship between history and alterity in Michael Ondaatje’s novel "The English Patient," focusing on how the author uses these themes to challenge conventional narratives.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The central themes include the subjectivity of history, the construction of identity, postcolonial power dynamics, and the concept of "the Other."
What is the research question addressed in the work?
The paper discusses why and how Ondaatje fictionalizes historical material and explores how the novel addresses the ways history is recorded and interpreted.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, integrating postcolonial theory, discourse analysis, and an examination of intertextual references to critique the construction of truth and identity.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body investigates the historical background of the novel, the function of recording history through fragmented narratives, the definition and application of alterity, and specific case studies involving the characters Kip and the English Patient.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include postcolonialism, hybridity, alterity, identity, subjectivity of history, intertextuality, and the concept of the Other.
How does the author define the role of the English Patient as a character?
The English Patient is described as a "tabula rasa" and a mystical figure whose lack of a fixed identity allows other characters to project their own experiences and colonial histories onto him.
Why is Kip’s reaction to the atomic bomb historically and narratively significant?
Kip’s reaction signifies a shift from his previously held admiration for Western culture to a profound disillusionment, highlighting the destructive potential of colonial power dynamics and his eventual return to his roots.
What role do intertexts like Herodotus’ "The Histories" play in the novel?
These intertexts serve as mirrors for the characters' personal histories and are used by Ondaatje to question the reliability of historical "truth" and the Western tendency to label the "Other."
- Quote paper
- Saskia Lührig (Author), 2006, Alterity and History in Micheal Ondaatje’s "The English Patient", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/123440
