Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects Literary Cosmopolitanisms of Salman Rushdie, Amitav Ghosh, and Arundhati Roy Sunil Samuel Macwan Marquette University Recommended Citation Macwan, Sunil Samuel, "Literary Cosmopolitanisms of Salman Rushdie, Amitav Ghosh, and Arundhati Roy" (2018). Dissertations (2009 -). 778. https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/778 LITERARY COSMOPOLITANISMS OF SALMAN RUSHDIE, AMITAV GHOSH, AND ARUNDHATI ROY By Sunil S. Macwan, B.A., M.A. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 2018 ABSTRACT LITERARY COSMOPOLITANISMS OF SALMAN RUSHDIE, AMITAV GHOSH, AND ARUNDHATI ROY Sunil S. Macwan, B.A., M.A. Marquette University, 2018 Since the 1980s, literary critics have examined contemporary cosmopolitanism’s relationship with globalization from postcolonial perspectives. An intriguing question in this area is: how do postcolonial authors justify their cosmopolitan critiques of globalization while relying on the economic structures that sustain the publishing industry? This dissertation attempts to answer the question by studying literary cosmopolitanisms of Salman Rushdie, Amitav Ghosh, and Arundhati Roy. It argues that by developing forms of literary cosmopolitanisms through fiction, some postcolonial writers create alternatives to neoliberal globalization and a reactionary nationalism from within those systems. The primary methods employed in this study include close-reading and critical-research-qualitative analysis. Specifically, the dissertation contends that Salman Rushdie has developed a critical cosmopolitanism of the urban migrant that simultaneously challenges the inhibiting nature of fundamentalist nationalism and homogenizing globalization. Not satisfied with Rushdie’s individualistic cosmopolitanism, Amitav Ghosh recuperates a family-based South Asian cosmopolitanism that evolved during the British colonialism in Asia and provided an alternative to Western cosmopolitanism through the dynamism of the littoral. Celebrating this familial-littoral cosmopolitanism , Ghosh envisions the possibility of a world-community, capable of defying rigid nationalism as well as neoliberal capitalism on the strength of family-like relationships among migrants. Also diverging from Rushdie, Arundhati Roy evolves a small cosmopolitanism that appeals to the global through the local. Roy reaches out to global readers with narratives of local struggles to inspire them to cultivate a cosmopolitan empathy towards those others who inhabit socioculturally backward parts of the World. This dissertation identifies forms of postcolonial literary cosmopolitanisms that enable Rushdie, Roy, and Ghosh to imagine a cosmopolitan world-community, rooted in mutual respect and acceptance of difference. It opens avenues for further research in literary studies that examine postcolonial literature’s creative potential to promote grounded cosmopolitanism as a powerful antidote to economic globalization in the twenty-first century. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sunil S. Macwan, B.A., M.A. “The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame,” says a character in Salman Rushdie’s novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet. Now that my dissertation is complete, I step out of the frame, take a good look at the picture, and instantly recognize many names and faces that have made it whole. Below is an imperfect attempt to thank everyone who has helped me in one way or another during my doctoral program at Marquette. A mandate from my former Provincial, Rev. Jose Changanacherri, S. J., to go to Marquette University for graduate studies made me look up Milwaukee on the world map in 2012 for the first time ever. Reflecting on it now, I am quite grateful to Fr. Changanacherri for sending me to Marquette for it has been a transformative experience. I also thank my current Provincial, Rev. Francis Parmar, S. J., who has extended his support to me throughout my doctoral studies. On the academic front, I wish to express immense gratitude to my Director, Dr. John Su, for transforming my vague idea of “wanting to do something in the field of postcolonial studies” into a full-fledged dissertation in a little over four years. I gratefully acknowledge the invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement of Dr. Su at every stage of this dissertation. From our first meeting in 2014 (wherein he pleasantly surprised me saying, “I haven’t read a word of what you have written but will be happy to work ii with you”) to this day in February 2018, Dr. Su has mentored me with a lot of patience, attentiveness, and interest. While relentlessly demanding high standards in research and writing, Dr. Su has taught me a lot about postcolonial literature and criticism with his expertise and guidance. Without his extraordinary support in conceptualizing, writing, and revising my thesis, this dissertation would not have seen the light of day. Besides his excellent mentorship, which undoubtedly inspired me greatly to make daily progress in my work, I have personally profited a lot by observing his work ethic, sincerity, and exemplary commitment as an academic. I am very grateful also to Dr. Heather Hathaway for advising, guiding, and encouraging me during my time at Marquette. Her guidance and invaluable support made it much easier for me to cope with some academic, personal, and cultural challenges I faced during my first two semesters on campus. I am truly thankful to her for extending me the same level of support in my doctoral studies and, especially, for helping me refine my work through insightful comments. I also want to acknowledge my very special indebtedness to Dr. Jodi Melamed – another irreplaceable member of my committee. She has always been a big source of inspiration to me as teacher and advisor. I want to thank Dr. Melamed very specially for being extremely generous and gracious with me last year, when she devoted a considerable amount of time to our meetings, despite her sabbatical and ill health. I have received new insights on my project from Dr. Melamed’s keen observations, and for that I am truly grateful. iii I wish to express my sincere thanks also to all my teachers, advisors, classmates, friends, and other members of Marquette University’s English department for making me feel at home and helping me in countless ways. The Jesuit Residence at Marquette University has been my home away from home for the last five years. I am immensely grateful to all my fellow Jesuits for their love and friendship. In particular, I wish to thank Rev. Jeffery LaBelle, S.J., former Rector, who gave me a lot of confidence through his constant support and care. Jeff’s extraordinary cura personalis made me instantly feel at home at the JesRes from the moment I arrived. I want to thank Jeff also for proofreading two of my drafts even while on sabbatical last semester. I would also like to thank the new Rector, Rev. Joseph Muller, S.J., who gave me a lot of encouragement during our meetings. My special thanks to Rev. Frederick Zagone, S.J., for his tireless service as Minister of the House. Among other members of the community, I would like to thank Eddie Mathie, Tim Mannat, John Thiedi, Ron Bieganowski, Andy Thon, Kent Beausoleil, Steve Molvarec, Nicky Santos, Justin Tirkey as well as members of the Breakfast Club, the Faith Sharing group, and the Young Priests’ group – all of whom have given me much to cherish through their love and friendship. Other friends from Marquette have also contributed to my happiness and academic success these last five years. I wish to thank very specially all my student- friends, parishioner-friends, and other acquaintances in this lovely city of Milwaukee, which I will miss very much. During my long and exasperating absence from India, my family and friends have remained a strong source of emotional support to me. I am truly grateful to each of them iv for being such an important part of my life. I wish to express my special thanks also to my godparents Jose Vicente Torres and Ana Monteiro from Madrid, whose constant support and prayers have meant a lot to me. Muchas Gracias, Padrinos. Finally, as I look at the whole picture again, I see the imprint of God all over it. Loving thanks to the Triune God – Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit – whose Grace alone has brought this dissertation to fruition. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………i INTRODUCTION: GLOBALIZATION, COSMOPOLITANISM, AND POSTCOLONIAL WIRTERS…………………………………………………….............1 History of Cosmopolitanism……………………………………………………..10 Cosmopolitanism and Globalization……………………………………………..23 Postcolonialism Criticism and Globalization…………………………………….28 Problem…………………………………………………………………………..33 Solution…………………………………………………………………………..41 CHAPTER ONE: SALMN RUSHDIE’S CRITICAL COSMOPOLITANISM………...52 Reactive Cosmopolitanism………………………………………………………74 Creative Cosmopolitanism…………………………………………………….....84 Critical Cosmopolitanism………………………………………………………102 A Marxist Critique of Rushdie…………………………………………………127 A Response to Marxist Critique…………………………………………..........134 CHAPTER TWO: AMITAV GHOSH’S FAMILIAL-LITTORAL COSMOPOLITANISM………………………………………………………………...150 Family as Nation………………………………………………………………..155 The Family Metaphor and a Familial Cosmopolitanism……………………….164 The Dynamism of the Littoral and Familial Cosmopolitanism………………...199 A Western