In this essay I want to show how globalization and colonialism are phenomenons which cannot be looked at separately when speaking about India`s history and present. Roy`s book does not only reveal the impact of globalization and colonialism on India and its people but the interconnection between these processes. I will give examples of how globalization and colonialism are linked and how that is shown in Arudhati Roy`s novel “The God of Small Things” (1997). This is a semi-autobiographical book which includes examples that draw the authors politial beliefs and understanding of how India has been shaped and is still shaped by globalism and colonialist policies. (Roy: “Is globalisation (sic) about the eradication of world poverty or is it a mutant variety of colonialism, remote controlled and digitally operated?“ For this I will look at India`s economy, India`s role as an exotic Other and the novel`s own position within the global market of literature, the Indian Diaspora, examples for othering, self-othering and inbetweennes, at how and why caste and colonialist ideals still have major impacts on the construction of identity in times of globalization. I cannot give a profound analysis of India`s colonial history and position within the context of globalism, but it will provide backround information and an insight into selected issues that have shaped and still shape India and the Indian society. The major aim of this essay is to show that “India`s colonial histories cannot be ignored”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. (Market) economy
3. Culture (and economy)
4. (Modern) diaspora
5. Performance(s)
6. Anglophone ("Indiaphil?") – (post) colonial identities
7. Conclusion
8. Works cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the deep, enduring connection between globalization and colonialism in India, specifically through the lens of Arundhati Roy's novel "The God of Small Things." It examines how historical colonial power structures continue to shape modern Indian society, economy, and identity, arguing that globalization functions as a contemporary manifestation of imperialist processes.
- The historical and ongoing economic impact of colonialism on India's agricultural and global market integration.
- The construction of "Indianness" and the role of the Indian Diaspora in perpetuating colonial-era prejudices.
- The commodification of Indian culture and identity within the global tourist industry as a form of neo-colonialism.
- The persistent influence of caste and British-imposed social hierarchies on identity construction and social justice.
- The role of Western literature and cultural symbols in maintaining colonial-era ideological influence post-independence.
Excerpt from the Book
5. Performance(s)
The creation of the exotic other back in the days of Empire is used as an advertising strategy in the times of globalization. When Rahel returnes to Ayemenem she realizes that “Kari Saipu`s house had been renovated and painted. It had become the centerpiece of an elaborate complex (…) The old colonial bungalow with its deep verandah and Doric columns, was surrounded by smaller, older, wooden houses –ancestral homes – that the hotel chain had bought from old families and transplanted in the Heart of Darkness. Toy Histories for rich tourists to play with. (…) `Heritage`the hotel was called.”50
The concepts of orientalization and othering are used to promote the image of India as an exotic paradise, something that can be sold to rich tourists who, for a few days, want to escape the global cultural homogenization. There they are fed with the images of the paradise they came to see and the “Regional Flavor”51 they were looking for. While enjoying themselves in the swimming pool the tourists can watch “truncated kathakali performances”52 This is clearly valued by the narrator as a selling off of parts of the Indian heritage. The dancers perform at the temple in Ayemenem which is watched by the adult Rahel and Estha, to “jettison their humiliation in the Heart of Darkness. Their truncated swimmung pool performances. Their turning to tourism to stave off starvation.”53 There they turn “to their gods. To apologize for corrupting their stories. For encashing their identities. Misappropriating their lives.”54
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the thesis that globalization and colonialism are inextricably linked processes that continue to shape Indian history and contemporary society.
2. (Market) economy: This chapter analyzes how the British East India Company laid the groundwork for modern economic exploitation, which continues to influence India's agricultural and trade policies today.
3. Culture (and economy): The chapter examines the transcultural flow between India and the West, highlighting how the novel itself operates within the global literary market while critiquing that very system.
4. (Modern) diaspora: This section discusses the Indian Diaspora as a global phenomenon, focusing on economic dependencies and the persistent racism encountered by Indians abroad.
5. Performance(s): This chapter critiques the commodification of Indian heritage, exploring how the tourism industry repackages colonial histories and exoticism for profit.
6. Anglophone ("Indiaphil?") – (post) colonial identities: The chapter explores the hybrid, often alienated identities of the Indian elite and the role of British cultural hegemony in education.
7. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the arguments, identifying contemporary globalization as a form of neo-colonialism and reinforcing the novel's significance in articulating this transition.
8. Works cited: A comprehensive list of academic, literary, and online sources used throughout the essay.
Key Words
Globalization, Colonialism, Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things, Indian Diaspora, Othering, Neo-colonialism, Caste System, Cultural Commodification, Hybridity, Imperialism, Post-colonial Identity, Westernization, Economic Exploitation, Indian Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay explores the interconnectedness of globalization and colonialism in India, using Arundhati Roy's novel "The God of Small Things" to demonstrate how historical colonial structures persist in contemporary society.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
Key themes include the economics of colonialism, the construction of post-colonial identities, the role of the Indian Diaspora, the commodification of culture, and the influence of British social and educational ideals.
What is the primary research goal?
The essay aims to show that India's colonial history cannot be ignored and that modern globalization is effectively a "mutant variety" of colonialism that continues to exploit labor and resources.
What scientific method is employed?
The author employs a qualitative literary analysis, utilizing post-colonial theory and historical context to interpret characters, metaphors, and symbols within the novel.
What does the main body cover?
The body covers economic history, the concept of the "exotic other," the experiences of the Indian Diaspora, the performance of culture for tourism, and the influence of colonial education on the Indian elite.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Globalization, colonialism, Indian Diaspora, othering, neo-colonialism, caste system, and cultural commodification.
How does the author interpret the "History House" in the novel?
The author views the "History House" as a multi-layered metaphor representing both the lost Indian cultural heritage and an unattainable British ideal, underscoring the characters' state of in-betweenness.
What argument is made regarding the commodification of India?
The author argues that tourism in India—illustrated by the conversion of old colonial properties—is a form of neo-colonialism, where India is reduced to a "global product" to satisfy Western desires for the exotic.
- Quote paper
- katja Losensky (Author), 2008, Globalization & Colonialism in Arundhati Roy`s "The God of small things", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/130201
