Final answer:
The 'children of midnight' in 'Midnight's Children' are defined by their birthright, being born at the moment of India's independence. The novel is a work of postcolonial literature and magical realism, with the narrative woven into historical events and Indian cultural references.
Therefore, the answer is: a) Their supernatural powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 'children of midnight' in Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children refers to the group of children born in India within the first hour of its independence at midnight on August 15, 1947.
They are considered the 'children of midnight' not because of their supernatural powers, their skin color, or destiny, but rather due to their birthright of being born at the historic moment when India and Pakistan were created (B).
These children, including the protagonist Saleem, are endowed with magical powers, with Saleem himself possessing telepathy (A). The novel unfolds over approximately thirty years of Saleem's life, and through flashbacks to times before he was born (D).
Midnight's Children is a prime example of postcolonial literature and magical realism. In postcolonial literature, authors often explore themes such as revolution, migration, and identity after the end of colonization.
Rushdie's novel encapsulates this by intertwining historical events with a narrative that includes Indian cultural references, magic, and myth.
The inclusion of magic and myth along with cultural references such as 1001 Nights and Indian traditions is indicative of the magical realism in the book, characterized by extraordinary events being treated as part of everyday reality.