Assignment 207: Migration in the novel ‘Gun Island’

Academic Information

• Name: Rajeshvariba Rana

• Roll No: 16

• Semester: 4 (Batch 2022-24)

• Enrolment number: 4069206420220023

• Paper No: 207

• Paper name: Contemporary Literatures in English

• Paper code: 22414

• Topic: Migration in the novel ‘Gun Island’

• Submitted to: Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU

• Email Address: rhrana148@gmail.com

• Submission Date: 26th April 2024

Migration in the novel ‘Gun Island’

Introduction:

Iin its myriad forms, is a central motif that pervades Amitav Ghosh's novel 'Gun Island.' Through a tapestry of interwoven narratives, Ghosh explores the intricate relationships between human movement, environmental change, and cultural dynamics. The novel invites readers to embark on a profound journey, tracing the paths of displaced communities, wandering myths, and migrating species across spatial and temporal boundaries.

At the heart of 'Gun Island' lies a poignant examination of the ways in which climate change has triggered mass migrations, uprooting people from their ancestral homes and forcing them to seek refuge in foreign lands. Ghosh deftly weaves together the stories of individuals and communities grappling with the devastating consequences of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation, underscoring the urgency of addressing these global challenges.

Ghosh's exploration of migration extends far beyond the physical displacement of people. The novel delves into the migration of stories, legends, and cultural artifacts, illuminating how narratives and beliefs transcend borders and undergo metamorphoses as they traverse diverse landscapes and ethnicities. The tale of the Gun Merchant and the goddess Manasa Devi serves as a poignant metaphor for the fluidity and adaptability of cultural narratives in the face of migration and diaspora.

'Gun Island' invites readers to ponder the migration of non-human species, such as dolphins and snakes, highlighting the intricate interconnectedness of human and ecological systems. Ghosh's anthropological lens encourages a deeper appreciation of the ways in which migration patterns shape and reshape cultures, languages, and identities, challenging our notions of belonging and home.

Through his multifaceted exploration of migration, Ghosh invites readers to confront the complexities of our globalized world, prompting us to grapple with the profound implications of human movement, cultural exchange, and environmental upheaval.

The climate-induced displacement of people from the Sundarbans in contemporary times echoes the ancient legend of the Gun Merchant featured in the text. In the legend, the Gun Merchant fled his homeland to save his life from the destructive forces of climate change, symbolized by the fury and vengeance of the Goddess Manasa, whom he had disrespected. 

Cinta, an Italian historian in the novel, offers a pragmatic interpretation of this ancient legendary story. She draws a parallel between the Gun Merchant's journey in the past and the present-day climate-driven migration of underprivileged communities from the Sundarbans. According to Cinta, the legend is "an apocryphal record of a real journey to Venice" (Ghosh, 2019, p. 138). She explains that the Merchant's "homeland, in eastern India, is struck by drought and floods brought on by the climatic disturbances of the Little Ice Age; he loses everything including his family, and decides to go overseas to recoup his fortune".

Pia, a character in the novel, despondently describes the current environmental condition of the Sundarbans and the world, saying, "We're in a new world. No one knows where they belong anymore, neither humans nor animals". The novel portrays how the consequences of anthropogenic environmental devastations, such as global warming, sea-level rise, and water pollution, pose an existential threat to all living beings on Earth during this climate apocalypse.

The parallel journeys of the climate-driven migrants of the past (the Gun Merchant) and the present (the underprivileged from the Sundarbans) underscore the recurring and cyclical nature of human displacement caused by environmental factors throughout history. The novel highlights the universality of this experience, transcending time and geography, while also emphasizing the urgent need to address the ongoing climate crisis and its far-reaching implications for human and non-human populations alike.

Human Migration and Climate Change:

The Sundarbans Region: 

Ghosh portrays the plight of the inhabitants of the Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest straddling India and Bangladesh, who are forced to migrate due to:

Rising sea levels: 

The rising sea levels have submerged many islands and coastal areas, rendering them uninhabitable.

Cyclones and storms: 

Extreme weather events like cyclones have destroyed homes and livelihoods, leaving people with no choice but to flee.

Environmental degradation: 

The degradation of the Sundarbans' ecosystem, caused by factors like pollution and deforestation, has made life increasingly difficult for the locals. The character of Piya: Piya, a cetologist (marine biologist), represents the scientific community studying the impact of climate change on ecosystems and human habitats: Her research: Piya's research on dolphins in the Sundarbans highlights how climate change is affecting the marine ecosystem and its inhabitants. Her perspective: Through Piya's eyes, readers gain insights into the interconnectedness of human migration and environmental changes, as she witnesses the struggles of the displaced communities firsthand.

The migration routes: Ghosh traces the migration routes taken by the refugees and displaced people from the Sundarbans

Towards cities: Many flee to overcrowded cities like Kolkata and Dhaka, seeking economic opportunities and shelter. Across borders: Some cross international borders, becoming refugees in neighboring countries, facing legal and humanitarian challenges. The Venice connection: Ghosh draws a parallel between the Sundarbans and the city of Venice, both threatened by rising sea levels, highlighting the global nature of climate-induced migration.

The human cost: The novel poignantly depicts the human cost of climate-induced migration

Loss of homes and livelihoods: People are forced to abandon their ancestral homes, lands, and traditional ways of life. Psychological trauma: The trauma of displacement, loss of identity, and uncertainty about the future weigh heavily on the migrants. Struggle for survival: The migrants face immense challenges in finding shelter, food, and basic necessities in their new environments.

Through these vivid depictions, Ghosh underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and its far-reaching consequences, particularly for vulnerable communities whose very existence is threatened by environmental upheaval.

Forced Displacement and Diaspora: 

The novel delves into the history of forced displacement and diaspora, particularly of the Sundarbans' inhabitants and the Venetian community. It highlights how communities have been uprooted and scattered across the globe due to various socio-economic and political factors throughout history.

1. The Sundarbans' inhabitants: 

The novel highlights the plight of the inhabitants of the Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest straddling the border between India and Bangladesh. These communities have been forced to migrate due to the rising sea levels and environmental degradation caused by climate change, which has made their traditional way of life in the Sundarbans increasingly untenable.

2. The Venetian diaspora:

The novel also delves into the history of the Venetian diaspora, which began in the late Middle Ages when many Venetians were forced to leave their city due to economic and political turmoil. The Venetian community scattered across various parts of the world, including the Sundarbans region, where they established settlements and adapted to the local environment.

The novel explores how these communities have been uprooted from their ancestral lands and forced to seek refuge elsewhere due to socio-economic and political factors beyond their control. Ghosh highlights the human cost of such displacements, as well as the resilience and adaptability of these communities in rebuilding their lives and preserving their cultural identities in new environments.

The theme of forced displacement and diaspora is a central aspect of 'Gun Island.' Ghosh uses the experiences of the Sundarbans' inhabitants and the Venetian community to illustrate the broader phenomenon of migration and displacement caused by environmental, economic, and political factors throughout history.

The Sundarbans' inhabitants face the immediate threat of displacement due to the rising sea levels and environmental degradation caused by climate change. Ghosh portrays their struggle to maintain their traditional way of life in the face of these challenges and their eventual decision to migrate to safer areas.

The Venetian diaspora, on the other hand, represents a historical example of forced displacement due to economic and political turmoil. Ghosh traces the journey of the Venetian community as they dispersed across different parts of the world, including the Sundarbans region, where they established settlements and adapted to the local environment.

By juxtaposing these two narratives, Ghosh highlights the universality of the human experience of displacement and diaspora. He explores the themes of loss, adaptation, and the preservation of cultural identity in the face of upheaval. The novel serves as a poignant commentary on the ongoing global crisis of displacement caused by various factors, and the need for empathy and understanding towards those who have been forced to leave their homes.

Anthropological Perspectives: 

1. Migration patterns and cultural exchanges: 

The novel traces the migration routes and patterns of various communities, such as the Sundarbans' inhabitants and the Venetian diaspora. It examines how these migrations have facilitated cultural exchanges, leading to the intermingling of diverse influences, traditions, and belief systems.

2. Fluidity of identities: 

Ghosh's anthropological lens highlights the fluidity of identities and the ways in which migration and cultural exchanges can shape and reshape individual and collective identities. The novel explores how identities are not fixed but constantly evolving, influenced by the experiences of displacement, adaptation, and cultural encounters.

The anthropological perspective in 'Gun Island' allows Ghosh to delve into the intricate relationships between migration, cultural exchanges, and the formation of identities. The novel examines how migration has been a constant feature of human history, with communities traversing vast distances and encountering diverse cultures along the way.

The migration routes of the Sundarbans' inhabitants and the Venetian diaspora serve as examples of how these movements have facilitated cultural exchanges. As these communities settled in new environments, they adapted their traditions, beliefs, and ways of life, while also absorbing and integrating elements from the cultures they encountered. This dynamic intermingling of influences has led to the creation of unique cultural syncretisms and the evolution of hybrid identities.

Ghosh's anthropological lens also highlights the fluidity of identities. The characters in the novel grapple with the complexities of their identities, which are shaped by their experiences of displacement, migration, and cultural encounters. Identities are portrayed as dynamic and multifaceted, transcending rigid boundaries and categories.

Through this anthropological perspective, Ghosh invites readers to consider the ways in which migration has been a driving force behind cultural diversity and the formation of new identities. He challenges the notion of fixed, static identities and instead celebrates the richness and complexity that emerges from the intermingling of diverse cultural influences.

'Gun Island' offers a nuanced understanding of the human experience of migration and its profound impact on cultures, languages, belief systems, and the very notion of identity itself.

Ecological Migration:

The Sundarbans' Inhabitants and Forced Displacement: 

Ghosh explores the plight of the communities living in the Sundarbans, a vast mangrove forest straddling the border between India and Bangladesh. These communities face the imminent threat of displacement due to rising sea levels and environmental degradation caused by climate change, which has made their traditional way of life increasingly untenable. The novel portrays their struggle to maintain their cultural identity and adapt to the challenges posed by these environmental changes.

The Venetian Diaspora: 

The novel delves into the history of the Venetian diaspora, which began in the late Middle Ages when many Venetians were forced to leave their city due to economic and political turmoil. Ghosh traces the journey of the Venetian community as they dispersed across various parts of the world, including the Sundarbans region, where they established settlements and adapted to the local environment. This historical example highlights the universal experience of forced displacement due to socio-economic and political factors.

Anthropological Perspectives on Migration: 

Ghosh employs an anthropological lens to examine migration patterns, cultural exchanges, and the fluidity of identities. The novel explores how migration facilitates cultural exchanges, leading to the intermingling of diverse influences, traditions, and belief systems. It also highlights the fluidity of identities, which are shaped and reshaped by the experiences of displacement, adaptation, and cultural encounters.

Ecological Migration: 

Ghosh touches upon the migration of non-human species, such as dolphins and snakes, underscoring the interconnectedness of human and non-human migrations and their impact on ecological systems. The novel suggests that human activities and environmental changes have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the human realm, affecting the migration patterns and habitats of other living beings. This theme emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex relationships between human actions and the environment.

Through these subheadings and detailed explorations, 'Gun Island' offers a multifaceted and nuanced examination of migration, highlighting its various dimensions, causes, and consequences. Ghosh's storytelling invites readers to consider the human experience of displacement, the preservation of cultural identities, the dynamics of cultural exchanges, and the interconnectedness of human and non-human migrations within the broader context of environmental changes and the fragility of ecological systems.

Personal Journeys and Self-Discovery

Personal Journeys Parallel Broader Themes:

In 'Gun Island,' Ghosh interweaves the personal journeys of the characters with the larger themes of migration and displacement. The experiences of Deen and Piya serve as microcosms of the broader human experience of migration and the search for belonging.

Deen's Journey:

Deen, the novel's central character, embarks on a physical and metaphorical journey that takes him from his home in Brooklyn to various parts of the world, including the Sundarbans and Venice. As he unravels the mysteries surrounding the ancient legend of the gun merchants, Deen also confronts his own sense of identity and belonging. His journey challenges his notions of home, as he grapples with the complexities of his diasporic identity and the fluidity of cultural boundaries.

Piya's Journey:

Similarly, Piya, a young marine biologist, undertakes a journey to the Sundarbans to study the region's dolphins. However, her scientific pursuit evolves into a deeper exploration of her personal roots and the historical connections between her ancestral home of Venice and the Sundarbans. Piya's journey forces her to confront questions of identity, heritage, and the multiple dimensions of belonging.

Reflecting Universal Experiences:

Through these personal journeys, Ghosh highlights the universal human experiences of migration, displacement, and the search for a sense of home and self. The characters' struggles mirror the broader themes of cultural exchanges, shifting identities, and the challenges of navigating the complexities of a globalized world.

Invitation to Self-Reflection:

Intertwining the personal and the global, Ghosh invites readers to reflect on their own notions of home, identity, and belonging, and to consider the ways in which migration and displacement shape individual and collective experiences. The characters' journeys of self-discovery serve as a reminder that migration is not merely a physical act but also a profound emotional and spiritual process that can profoundly transform our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Migration trends from South Asia are expected to escalate in the coming years due to socio-economic and political distress, climate crises, rapid growth in the working-age population, and remittance-driven government policies (Nath 378). The novel 'Exit West' by Mohsin Hamid showcases the migration of a Tamil family, likely from Sri Lanka, to Dubai. Hamid describes most of the refugees as people of "many colors and hues but mostly falling within a band of brown that ranged from dark chocolate to milky tea".

The migration scenario portrayed in the novel blurs the distinction between natives and migrants, making everyone feel foreign. The characters, belonging to different nations, seek asylum and appear in safer locations through magical portals. When Saeed and Nadia, the main characters, reach a building in London, they are amazed to find people from various parts of the world crowding the building – there are Nigerians, Somalis, people from Guatemala, Indonesia, Thailand, and many other places.

The novel highlights how migration on a global scale can lead to a diverse mix of cultures and nationalities converging in unexpected places, challenging traditional notions of belonging and identity. The use of magical portals serves as a metaphor for the often unpredictable and surreal experiences of migrants seeking refuge and a better life, while also emphasizing the universality of the human desire for safety and opportunity.

Conclusion:

By exploring these various aspects of migration, 'Gun Island' offers a rich tapestry of perspectives on human movement, cultural exchange, and the impact of environmental factors on migration patterns. Through its examination of forced displacement, diasporas, anthropological lenses, ecological migrations, and personal journeys of self-discovery, the novel prompts readers to reflect on the complexities and interconnectedness of these issues in our globalized world. Ghosh's narrative invites us to consider the human costs of displacement, the fluidity of identities, the intermingling of cultures, and the intricate relationships between human activities and the natural world. Ultimately, 'Gun Island' serves as a poignant reminder of the universal human experiences of migration, belonging, and the constant search for home, both physical and metaphorical.

(WC:2720, Images:02)

Works Cited

Bose, T., and A. Satapathy. "The crisis of climate and immigration in Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island. Litera, 31 (2), 473-489." (2021).

Nath, Rimi. "Migration and the Struggle with Choices in an Increasingly Unstable World: A Reading of Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West and Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island."