Question

Rushdie suggests that, apart from their own national history, Indian writers in Britain have access to a second tradition, the tradition of what?

a) Commonwealth literature
b) European literature
c) British literature
d) Post-colonial literature

Answer 1

Indian writers in Britain, including Salman Rushdie, contribute to and draw from British literature, incorporating a mix of national history and postcolonial perspectives, as seen in works like Midnight's Children.

Step-by-step explanation:

Salman Rushdie, an Indian writer based in Britain, posits that Indian writers in Britain draw from a rich tapestry of literary traditions owing to their unique position. They engage with their national history and also have access to British literature, which provides a second tradition. This inclusion allows them to create works that are deeply layered, reflecting a combination of both their heritage and the cultural context of the country in which they now reside. Rushdie's seminal work Midnight's Children is a telling example of this synthesis and is considered a cornerstone of postcolonial literature. It deftly amalgamates Eastern and Western literary traditions with the narrative structure echoing the 1001 Nights and is replete with Indian cultural motifs, resulting in a complex narrative that challenges and extends the boundaries of conventional literature.

These Indian authors in Britain not only contribute to the British literary canon but also robustly engage with and challenge it by infusing it with their divergent perspectives and cultural experiences. This enhances the depth and breadth of British literature and enriches the discourse with postcolonial sensibilities, contextualizing historical experiences within the sphere of contemporary literature.