The current publication on the literature of post-colonialism presents a lot of history as well as defining the evolution of certain societies. Author’s concerned with postmodernism have tried to explain the origin of societal characteristics that never existed until after the colonial era. Much of this literature dwell on the assumption that the colonizers were entirely superior compared to the characteristics of the colonies. India, in this case, presents a perfect study scenario where the interaction between the colonizer – Britain – and the immediate society surfaces behavioral changes. Such literature is well presented in the Novel entitled, “God of Small Things” by Arindhati Roy. Here, the concept of hybridity and mimicry can extensively be utilized in understanding the author’s main idea about the novel. Hence, through utilizing Homi Bhabha’s “hybridity” theory, this essay aims at analyzing how the various characters in the novel , such as, Estha and Rahel, as well as Kari Saibu, challenge the authority to subvert the influence of colonial language.
In order to understand the central ideas of the novel in a more effective manner, it is equally fundamental to define the term “hybridity”. As such, such “Hybridity” is a term used to refer to a situation where two separate culture or races cross. In other words, it is a cross or a mixture or the result when two things, in this case, race and culture are mixed. Indeed, the term gained recognition after the discourse of racial mixing that was a result of colonization. People from one culture – the Western – mixed with the communities in the colonial land to raise a hybrid generation. Here, The British were the colonial power that interacted with the colony – India. It is evident that before such an engagement, each of the two parties had their won way of life. However, the hybrid generation came with different societal characteristics.
Essentially, Homi Bhabha’s “hybridity” theory is based on the concept of foreclosing of cultural purity to encompass a new societal characteristics of ambivalence. In other words, the theory provides a contemporary critic of the contradictions that arises as a result of a colonial disclose. Evidently, the presence of the colonizer in the place of the colony creates cultural confusion. Also, as the colonizer’s course is considered as superior, it only means that the “hybrid” generation will more likely to get closer in recognition to the specific group as opposed to the “colony” generation. To some extent, this creates bias behavior as such people will consider themselves to be enjoying the advantages of the “colonizer” party to oppress the “colony” counterparts. This is evident in the Novel “Gods of Small Things” and to which attracts criticism from Homi Bhabha’s thoughts.
The first instance that shows “Hybridity” the Novel “The Gods of Small Things” is when Estha and Rahel grow up with different culture despite being in India in most of their childhood years. The twins are hugely fans of the Western films such as the “Sound of Music”. Also, they become in love with Tokyo hair bands style which is a foreign influence. Despite the Estha and Rahel being brought up in the Indian society, their aspiration that influences the twins’ social life is not the Indian culture. From the author’s quote;
“ most of Rahel’s hair sat on top of her head like a fountain. It was held together by a Love-in-Tokyo-two beads on a rubber band” (p.34)
It signifies that the children’s liking is not the Indian culture. The influence of the foreign culture overwhelms their thinking to the extent that they can be described as people of a different culture to the Malayalam. In this case, Rahel and Estha’s situation happens in many people, especially in Kerala city. The author also notes that
“Estha was wearing his beige and pointy shoes and his puff” (p.34)
It signifies that Estha’s style is of the influence of the Tokyo style which is the Western style. Also, as the two people attended musical concerts that are most Western influenced in terms of culture, the identify themselves with what is termed as the Superior West. There is no point that the children were happy to have an attire of the Indian people. To them, being superior is to be associated with the Western culture. Although it was not dominant especially on the Indian soil, the colonial recognition and the perception that people are more civilized when they think and act in a Western-like style. The sense of recognition also allows such individuals to get better treatment compared the local people that act within the cultural contexts of the native Indian traditions.
Another scenario involving Estha and Rahel that shows “Hybridity” is the special treatment of the Western cultural characters lays off the ethnic way of life. To some extent, there is no presentation of the local culture, especially in the high-end society. Here, Estha and Rahel are Indian decent individuals but refuse to get recognized within their native social context. Here,
it points out that there is a sense of inferiority that the Twins are seemingly avoiding. Their mind tells them that being smart is to behave in another way that is not in line with the local culture. Therefore, apart from being the preferred substitute, the Western culture provides the advantageous superior notion that many would like to get associated with.
It is vital to also point out that the novel is considered as a post-colonial publication although many people have debated this argument. In a critical view, the notion could have a meaning. Taking, for instance, the plot of the novel, the author revolves around the British influence to the Indian society. The author argues that there are positive contributions that the British had to the colonial land. Undoubtedly, the positive influence can be counted from the development of infrastructure, in the case of roads network, communication, and many other projects. All this had a great impact on developing the social context of both the native Indians and the English men and women who lived in the country. Building road networks mean that it enhanced people’s movements from one place to another hence facilitating their social engagement.
On the other hand, however, the negative impact of the colonization is that the influence cannot be retracted through the so-called “decolonization”. As a matter of fact, the novel denotes the reality that the current Indian society is beyond decolonization. It means that hybridity during the colonization took a great deal of influence that remain vital in the way of living of the current community. As the case for Rahel and Estha, many other characters enjoy the Western culture recognition and can never take the chance to get recognized as Malayans even though they are in the reality. This is because the hybrid nature that the society was presented into by the colonial powers cannot be taken away in an instant. Further, it is only logical to say that decolonization may never happen, and if there is any chance, then it will take a long time for it to happen.
Another example showing the concept of Hybridity in the story is when the old Kari Saibu abandons everything associated with the British culture to adapt to the Malayan way of life. Saibu, in this case, had lived in the country – India – for a long time and was keen to be recognized with the way of life of the current community as opposed to that of his native English culture.
“After the suicide, the property had become the subject of extensive litigation between Kari Saibu’s cook and his secretary” ( p.48 )
This is a hybridity process that implies that cultural influence may change somebody’s mind to adopt into the attributes of their new environment. However, although Saibu practices the Indian culture, it does not mean that he fails to get recognized as an Englishman. It only means that the mixture of English and Indian cultures best describes Saibu.
According to Homi Bhabha, the superiority of the English man is an advantage to the local cultural practices of the Indian society. However, this superiority originates from the minds of the locals that lead them to think that they are inferior. Then, the situation becomes a reality in the streets as the locals place great value to the foreign culture characteristics. Further, the situation may lead to discrimination based on culture, religion and various elements especially when it comes to the distribution of incentives from the government among other organizations. The novel also is critical in keeping the memories of the colonial injustices that happened. As the target audience/reader goes through the book, it is evident that what is learned keeps them remember history and the structure of the society in the modern Indian society. Although this may not be a problem, sometimes, the perceived hybridity have proved to create the cultural discrimination.
In conclusion, the colonization of India presented the local people with different opportunities. They were able to grow as a nation and counter to address various challenges together not only using traditional methods but through using improved and borrowed techniques. It means that the Western cultural influence helped the country address vital concerns. As discussed above, people adopted now ways to communicate, travel and address issues concerning health and education. Indeed, that was a positive note.
However, the colonization influence also had a negative impact both in terms of the social life of the locals and the extinction of the rich cultural practices of the locals. Further, the emergence of the hybrid society can as well be described as a community of confusion. The novel’s main ideas brought this into surface. Although the hybrids such as the case of Rahel and Estha enjoyed the Western influence and took advantage of it, Saibu, on the other hand, thought it was wise to learn and live and fit-in to the ways of life of the local people. Therefore, hybridity, as Homi Bhabha explains, is well present in the novel. Estha and Rahel, as well as Kari Saibu, utilized it to challenge the authority to subvert the to subvert the influence of colonial language.
