Gun Island
Hello, I am Emisha Ravani, writing this blog as a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. In this blog, i am going to discuss some questions here about the novel 'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh.
Here, the video is introductory part of the whole novel 'Gun Island'.
How does Amitav Ghosh make use of 'etymology' of common words to sustain mystery and suspense in the narrative? (Gun, Gun Merchant, Bhut, Possession, Shikul dwip, Rumali desh, Taal-misri desh)
Amitav Ghosh makes use of the etymology of common words in "Gun Island" to sustain mystery and suspense in the narrative. By delving into the history and meaning of words and phrases, Ghosh creates a rich and layered world that is full of nuance and detail.
For example, the word "gun" is central to the narrative of "Gun Island." By exploring the etymology of this word, Ghosh provides a context for the central conflict of the novel, which revolves around the trade of guns and their impact on the world. The term "gun merchant," meanwhile, adds an element of danger and intrigue, painting a picture of a shadowy figure who profits from the trade in death and destruction.
Similarly, the use of words such as "bhut," "possession," "Shikul dwip," "Rumali desh," and "Taal-misri desh" helps to create a rich and complex world that is full of mystery and uncertainty. These words and phrases, many of which are drawn from Indian languages and cultures, serve to build a sense of place and to give the story a sense of history and depth.
In this way, Ghosh makes use of etymology to create a narrative that is both mysterious and suspenseful. By weaving together elements of history, myth, and language, he creates a world that is rich in detail and full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Let us see the direct reference from the original novel which is very interesting itself:
I was sitting at my desk one day, staring blankly at my computer, when a
pop-up window appeared on the screen. Inside the window were the words:
‘Does the word BHUTA mean “ghost”? Or does it mean something else?’
Unnerved by this strange manifestation I went to the bathroom and
washed my face. When I came back the window was still on the screen,
blinking. But now I noticed a line in small print; it said,
‘Bonduki@bonduki.com wants to start a chat session with you.’
I sat down and typed: ‘Is that you, Tipu?’
The answer appeared after a couple of seconds. ‘Sure it’s me. Now
answer the question.’
‘Why are you asking me this?’ I wrote. ‘Why don’t you look it up on the
Net?’
‘I did. And now I’m asking u. What exactly does BHUTA mean?’
I scratched my head for a bit and then fetched a dictionary.
‘Look, I’m no expert on this,’ I wrote. ‘All I can tell you is that the
Bangla word “bhoot” or “bhuta” comes from a basic but very complicated
Sanskrit root, “bhu”, meaning “to be”, or “to manifest”. So in that sense
“bhuta” simply means “a being” or “an existing presence”.’
There was a long pause.
‘So are u and I bhutas then?’
‘I suppose you could say so.’
‘And what about animals? Snakes? Dolphins?’
‘In the sense that they exist and are beings, yes, animals are bhutas too.’
‘Then why do people mean “ghost” when they say “bhoot”?’
‘Because “bhuta” also refers to the past, in the sense of “a past state of
being”. Like when we say “bhuta-kala” or “times past”.’
Another long pause.
‘But if the same word means both “existing” and “existed” wouldn't it
mean that the past wasn't past? That the past was present in the present?’
‘In a sense yes.’
‘But that's impossible isn't it? How can the past be present in the present?’
‘In the same way that you might say in English “the present is haunted by
the past”. I suppose that’s how the word “bhuta” has come to mean
“ghost”.’
This time his response was instantaneous. ‘So are u saying that ghosts
exist?’
‘NO!’
I yelped. My fingers had hit the keyboard so hard that I had split a
fingernail. But I typed on, without stopping. ‘I’m not saying that AT ALL.
I’m just telling you what the word means.’
Several minutes went by before Tipu’s response appeared: ‘OK, got it.’
This was followed by a thumbs-up emoji, and then the window closed.
What are your views on the use of myth and history in the novel 'Gun Island' to draw attention of the reader towards contemporary issues like climate change and migration?
The use of myth and history in "Gun Island" is a powerful tool for drawing attention to contemporary issues such as climate change and migration.
By weaving together elements of myth and history, Ghosh creates a rich and immersive narrative that serves as a metaphor for the contemporary world. The mythical elements in the novel, such as the story of the Gun Islanders, help to create a sense of the fantastical, while the historical elements, such as the references to the lives of refugees and the impact of climate change, bring the story into the present day.
The combination of these two elements serves to create a sense of urgency around the issues of climate change and migration, highlighting the fact that these are not simply abstract or theoretical problems, but rather, issues that are affecting real people in the real world. By bringing these issues to life through the power of storytelling, Ghosh helps to engage readers on an emotional level, making them more likely to be moved to action.
In conclusion, the use of myth and history in "Gun Island" serves as an effective way to draw the reader's attention to contemporary issues like climate change and migration, making them more real and pressing by weaving together elements of fantasy and reality.
Is there any connection between 'The Great Derangement' and 'Gun Island'?
Indian writer Amitav Ghosh delivered a series of lectures on what he perceived was the lack of coverage of climate change in contemporary fiction at the University of Chicago in 2015. He would later adapt the content of the lectures into The Great Derangement. The book is composed of three parts: Part I, titled Stories, Part II, History, and Part III, Politics. The first part, Stories, explores why the modern novel struggles as an art form to describe and grapple with the concept of climate change. To understand this shortcoming, Ghosh highlights the role of the uncanny. In the second section, History, Ghosh highlights the role of colonialism in the climate crisis. With examples ranging from Miami to Mumbai to New York, Ghosh explores why urban planning deviated and deviates from the indigenous multigenerational knowledge that compelled cultures to build away from the ocean. In the final section, Politics, Ghosh notes that activists who single out capitalism as the systemic driver of climate change miss an important element: imperialism. Ghosh describes how writers and artists increased their engagement with political movements at the same time as industrial activities intensified. Ghosh ties these three sections together with a comparison between the Paris agreement and Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on climate change.
There is a connection between "The Great Derangement" and "Gun Island." "The Great Derangement" is a non-fiction book written by Amitav Ghosh, the author of "Gun Island." In "The Great Derangement," Ghosh explores the relationship between humanity and climate change, arguing that our inability to imagine the catastrophic consequences of global warming is a form of "derangement." "Gun Island" is a novel that is rooted in this same idea, as it draws on themes of climate change and environmental degradation to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world. In both works, Ghosh highlights the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of human and environmental systems and the role that imagination plays in shaping our perceptions of reality. In the book, Ghosh explores the hesitancy of literary fiction to address climate change and questions why books that do address climate change are often disregarded or looked down upon by the literati as pulp or science fiction.
Basically, this novel 'Gun Island' is the answer of the questions which were raised in 'The Great Derangement'. Mainly, He focuses on climate change and concerning about that for most, and by act of writing he proved that one can be worried about this issue and do write about it in literature under the concern of awareness towards such things or happenings.
Generate fan literature with the help of ChatGPT. (Promt: Generate micro fiction on Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island; Generate poem on Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island etc)
Micro fiction:
"Dinanath had always heard stories about Gun Island, a place where the dead walked and guns spoke. But he never believed it until he stepped foot on the island himself. The air was thick with the scent of salt and gunpowder, and he could hear the whispers of ghosts in the wind. As he journeyed deeper into the heart of the island, Dinanath encountered a world unlike any he had ever seen before."
Poem:
Gun Island, a place of myths and lore,
Where the dead roam and guns speak, nothing more.
A world of whispers carried by the sea breeze,
A land of secrets waiting to be released.
The scent of salt and gunpowder in the air,
A journey that tests the bravest, beyond compare.
A path of danger, to a place beyond,
Where the truth of Gun Island can finally be found.
Thank you!
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