In her novel “Baumgartner’s Bombay’ Anita Desai confronts the reader with a protagonist whose life is a chain of happenings not intended, wished for or fought against by him. It seems Hugo Baumgartner is not even aware of the probability that his own willful intervention into the course of his personal history could change matters for him. When he is murdered eventually the reader asks herself if this sudden and drastic end really differs from a natural death since Baumgartner’s life without social relations, active engagement in anything he is dedicated to or even a plain economic use for society did not appear to be important or of a unique value for many people. The brutal and cold fact is: Hugo Baumgartner will not be missed
The young Hugo Baumgartner is referred to by his first name. His mother and father call him “Hugo” or give him pet names (“you booby” (25); “Hugo, Liebling” (29)) and even the heterodiegetic narrator joins in this very familiar, caring and friendly form of address. Later on only Lotte will continue calling him “Hugo” (“Ach, du lieber Gott, Hugo” (68)) since she is the only one of his acquaintances in life who is present continuously, except for the time he is interned. Furst even calls her “a grotesque substitute mother” (Furst 171), an interpretation made possible by the end when she is (involuntarily) left by Baumgartner but keeps the letters of his natural mother. The facts that she is also a German and did not succeed in the Indian society create a bond between them although their lifestyles differ drastically.
This paper wants to examine possible reasons why he failed to live a fulfilled life after he had escaped the brutal Nazi regime. Major points of interest will be the psychological dysfunctions related to survivor guilt and melancholia, the impact of religion on integration and disintegration and his general problem to develop and administer his own will.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Survivor Guilt
- Melancholy
- Hugo Baumgartner's Will
- Baumgartner's Mode of Incorporation
- Religion and Integration – The Wandering Jew as an Anaphoric Device
- Rudiments of Ethnocentrism in Baumgartner's Bombay
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to examine the reasons why Hugo Baumgartner, the protagonist of Anita Desai's novel "Baumgartner's Bombay," failed to live a fulfilling life after escaping the Nazi regime. It explores the psychological dysfunctions related to survivor guilt and melancholy, the impact of religion on his integration and disintegration, and his general problem in developing and administering his own will.
- Survivor Guilt and its impact on Baumgartner's psychological and physical well-being
- The role of melancholia in shaping Baumgartner's behavior and outlook
- The influence of religion on Baumgartner's integration and his perception of himself as a "Wandering Jew"
- The presence of ethnocentric tendencies in Baumgartner's experience in Bombay
- Baumgartner's struggle to assert his own will and agency in the face of trauma and societal pressures
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces Hugo Baumgartner, the protagonist of the novel, and outlines his passive and seemingly unfulfilled life. It raises questions about the potential for change and the role of individual agency in the face of external forces. It also highlights Baumgartner's struggles with guilt and his inability to fully embrace his new life in India.
- Survivor Guilt: This chapter examines the concept of survivor guilt and its impact on Baumgartner's psychological and physical health. It explores his guilt over surviving while his mother perished in a concentration camp and analyzes the various symptoms he exhibits, including physical ailments, intrusive thoughts, and social withdrawal.
- Melancholy: This chapter delves into Baumgartner's melancholic state and its role in his apathy and inability to move forward. It explores the connection between melancholy and his survivor guilt, highlighting how his constant preoccupation with the past prevents him from living fully in the present.
- Hugo Baumgartner's Will: This chapter focuses on Baumgartner's lack of agency and his struggle to assert his own will. It analyzes his passive nature, his reluctance to make choices, and his reliance on external forces to shape his life.
- Baumgartner's Mode of Incorporation: This chapter explores Baumgartner's attempts to integrate into Indian society. It examines the challenges he faces, including cultural differences, language barriers, and societal prejudices. It also highlights the role of religion in his experiences and his perception of himself as a "Wandering Jew."
- Religion and Integration – The Wandering Jew as an Anaphoric Device: This chapter delves deeper into the theme of religion and its impact on Baumgartner's integration. It explores the concept of the "Wandering Jew" as a metaphor for his own sense of displacement and alienation. It also examines how his religious identity influences his interactions with Indian society.
- Rudiments of Ethnocentrism in Baumgartner's Bombay: This chapter examines the presence of ethnocentric attitudes in Baumgartner's experience in Bombay. It explores how his own cultural biases and preconceptions shape his perceptions of Indian society and its people. It also considers the potential for cultural clashes and misunderstandings.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The central themes and concepts explored in this paper include survivor guilt, melancholy, integration, disintegration, religion, ethnocentrism, agency, will, and the "Wandering Jew" as an anaphoric device. The paper analyzes Hugo Baumgartner's experiences and his struggle to navigate the complexities of his past, his present, and his identity in the context of post-war India.
- Quote paper
- Ulrike Löbel (Author), 2010, Inner and Outer Rejections of a refugee: Anita Desai´s "Baumgartner´s Bombay`", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165446
