Littoral Narratives: Fictions of the Indian Ocean World
Mahasweta Baxipatra
English
The fluid space of the Indian Ocean and the adjoining regions of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia define the Indian Ocean World. Since ancient times, a rich linguistic, literary, cultural, and imaginative interconnectedness has existed in this World. During colonial period in the region, the force of capital “oceanized” the World deploying the nexus of knowledge, power and imagination; but, renewed interest in the Indian Ocean region in the era of new geopolitical struggles has shown that the Indian Ocean and is surrounding countries comprised one of the most active mobility network, shaping not only the socio-economic structures of the region but also of the western world. In this course, we will explore the ramifications of interconnections in the Indian Ocean world through the lens of the novel. As we read the littoral fictions, we will attempt to shed more light on what has conventionally been termed as “encounters” among the various countries and continents. We will also aim to interpret and evaluate these texts by applying yardsticks that are not limited to the Western literary tradition.Besides the critical materials that I will provide you on Canvas, we will read the following novels:
- Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, The Dragonfly Sea
- Lindsey Collen, Mutiny
- Romesh Gunesekera, The Prison of Paradise
- Abdulrazak Gurnah, Gravel Heart
- Michael Ondaatje, The Cat’s Table
Catalog Information: HON-H 234 LITERATURE OF TIME AND PLACE