Illusions

//Topic offers a sound foundation, but it seems like more evidence is needed. Also...explain clearly why some characters have illusions, and Anne accepts reality. // INTRODUCTION + THESIS

In the novel __Heat and Dust__, by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, characters are often unable to accept the reality in which they find themselves in. Thus characters deliberately create illusions in order to escape such brutal truths. Jhabvala then is able to emphasize the contrast between the characters that are able to accept reality and those that cannot.

CHARACTERS THAT CREATE ILLUSIONS TO ESCAPE HARSH TRUTHS

I.This is observed through the Nawab and Olivia and the relationship between these two characters. Point: In reality the Nawab is emasculated by the British power over him and holds no real power. The Nawab’s lack of political power and dissatisfaction of the situation results in the creation of a temporary illusion and a false world in which he clearly holds control in. Olivia who is isolated in this alien environment is in return, attracted to the Nawab’s affluence and attention towards her, and consequently falls under the same false illusion that the Nawab has created that will inevitably cost her. Evidence: “The sun was beating down of course – the gold dome of the Nawab’s mosque gave out blinding beams – but the lawns were sparkling green and the fountains, refracting the sun’s rays dazzled with light and water. In the distance, beyond the pearl-grey Palace walls, lay the town in a miserable stretch of broken roofs, and beyond that the barren land: but why look that far?” (103).

Explanation: Jhabvala uses stunning imagery and enchanting diction to describe the mosque as a symbol of the Nawab’s situation. (+ other annotations).

II. Jhabvala uses the character Chid to illustrate that there are still barriers between Indian and European culture. Point: Chid has buried himself in a false illusion of “finding himself” as he refuses to truly seeing the dismays of India. The plot is split into two eras – one during the British colonization of India, and another during India’s independence. As seen the 1923 narrative, there is a separation between two cultures; however, although restrictions and the separation between cultures in the 1970’s narrative is seemingly less distinct, there are still elements that create barriers between the British and Indian.

Evidence: “Ritu began to scream the way she had done that night. Chid opened his eyes, looked at her, then shut them again and went on chanting. They both got louder- like communicants of two rival sects, each trying to prove the superiority of his faith by outshouting each other.” (81)

Explanation: T he commas that are used to segregate Chid’s actions of opening, closing and re-opening his eyes emphasizes the very fact of doing it, and is a metaphorical representation of Chid’s true feelings towards India. (+ other annotations)

CONTRAST WITH CHARACTER THAT ACCEPTS REALITY

I. Point: In contrast with the Nawab, Olivia and Chid, the narrator Anne is able assimilate into Indian culture and this is portrayed in the scene of Leelavati’s death. Anne has an epiphany about India and realizes that India is a mixture of both beauty and blemishes.

Evidence: "it has cleared the air, so that now, for the remaining hour of daylight, everything was luminous. The water in the reservoir was pure as the sky, disturbed only by the reflections of skimming kingfishers or of trees momentarily nodding their leaves into its surface. [...] It was pleasant sitting here - cool by the water - and we were ready to stay many hours. But she did not keep us waiting long. As the glow faded and sky and air and water turned pale silver and birds fell sleep in the dark trees and now only sounless bats flitted black across the silver sky: at that lovely hour she did." (p.100)

Explantion: Anne has an epiphany about India and realizes that India is a mixture of both beauty and blemishes. Beauty is portrayed at this hour meant for grief and dismay, yet it is eye opening for Anne as she comes to realize that India is beautiful as well.

CONCLUSION

The creation of illusions to shy from brutal truths is similarly true for the Nawab, Olivia and Chid. However, this protective wall segregating these characters from reality never seem to last and ultimately, through the flaws of these characters and despite the difficulty of cultural displacement, Jhabvala is able to portray India as a mixture of both enchantment and blemishes.