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2. Thematic Focus (10 points)

Select a quote from the text that you found to be particularly meaningful and/or important

to either a theme, character, setting, or important event that we have discussed in class. (2

points) Explicate the quote by providing information about where it falls in the text and

summarizing the context surrounding it. (3 points) Then, write 1-2 brief paragraphs in

which you relate the quote to the theme and explain how its inclusion enhances or improves

your understanding of Rushdie's text. (5 points)

"thanks to the occult tyrannies of those blandly saluting clocks I had been mysteriously

handcuffed to history, my destinies insolubly chained to those of my country." (3)

This quote appears at the very beginning of the novel as Saleem is describing the events

of his birth which occurred simultaneously to India's declaration of freedom on August 15th,

1947 at exactly midnight. By tying the fatalistic events of his birth and life to the "occult

tyrannies" of the clocks, Saleem is suggesting that the time of his birth is not mere coincidence.This ties in to the theme of individuals as figures in history because Saleem is bound to lead a

life that is intrinsically tied to the fate of his country. The quote also suggests the bitter-sweet

way in which Rushdie views the event of Indian Independence. While the event is able to bring

new life into the world, it is coupled with dark undertones of bad things that are to come.



3. Historical Context (7 points)

Using your Historical Context Note Packet, find one event of historical significance to India

that is featured in the text and summarize it: both in terms of what happened historically

and how Rushdie describes it in the novel. (3 points) Next, discuss how Rushdie's treatment

of this historical event changes or deepens your understanding of it. Why do you think

Rushdie chose to represent the even the way he did? What are the implications of this in

terms of how we, the readers, understand the history of India through Rushdie's lens?(4

points)

Walsh discusses how the idea of an Islamic state was difficult for many Indian Muslims

to imagine because many of them lived sporadically throughout India and were not inclined to

move to Pakistan. They advocated not for a separate state but for a more inclusive India. (Walsh

198) Rushdie chooses to represent this sentiment in the character of Mian Abdullah, the

Hummingbird, who is head of the Free Islam Convocation. Though the character's optimism

inspires a great hope in the Indian Muslims of Agra, his assassination represents the desire of theIndian government to silence and compartmentalize its Islamic inhabitants. (39) Rushdie's

inclusion of the character of Mian Abdullah and the friendship that he is able to form with

Aadam Aziz who has renounced his religion shows the potential for India to be a place that

embraces both secular and religious values. The assassination of this character shows how those

efforts eventually fail and the tragedy of that outcome.

Download - Reading Journal Sheet Model (1)

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