Colonialism, Power and Identity: Examining Hybridity in Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
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Abstract
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between colonialism, power dynamics and hybrid identities in Amitav Ghosh's novel Sea of Poppies. Through detailed textual analysis, the study examines how Ghosh portrays the multifaceted impact of British colonial rule on Indian society, focusing particularly on the ways in which colonial power structures both shaped and were challenged by various forms of hybridity. The research demonstrates how the novel's nuanced representation of linguistic, religious and racial hybridity serves multiple functions as a reflection of historical colonial realities as a means of resistance against colonial domination and as a catalyst for new forms of cultural identity. Drawing on postcolonial theory and historical scholarship, this analysis reveals how Ghosh's work makes a significant contribution to our understanding of colonial encounters and their lasting impact on cultural identity formation. The study pays particular attention to the novel's treatment of economic exploitation, political domination and cultural imperialism, while also examining how these forms of colonial power gave rise to various modes of resistance through hybrid practices and identities. By analyzing the complex relationships between characters from different social, cultural and racial backgrounds, the article illuminates how Ghosh's work challenges traditional binary oppositions between colonizer and colonized suggesting instead a more nuanced understanding of colonial power relations and cultural exchange.
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