In What Ways Does Nadeem Aslam Novel Suggest That Home Is Less A Physical Space And More An Unstable Idea Shaped By Memory War And Survival
The Blind Man’s Garden
The Blind Man’s Garden’ is Aslam’s fourth novel encapsulating post-September 11 catastrophic events within the context of American attack on Afghanistan. This novel seems to be in continuation of the narrative presented in his previous novel ‘The Wasted Vigil’. However, there is a striking difference between the two novels with respect to characterization, as the former does not have any Pakistani characters. This novel, on the other hand, explores the consequences of the Afghan war on its neighbouring country, Pakistan. Therefore, ‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ is populated with a diversified range of Pakistani characters who are essentially important not only for the narrative construction and plot development but also for revealing the worst implications this war entails for Pakistan as both the countries are intertwined in a complex relationship owing to their historical, cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious ties.
Aslam’s powerful narrative reveals that no other country in the world has faced graver consequences of this war in Afghanistan than Pakistan. It has been adversely affected politically, economically and socially. More than thirty thousand people in Pakistan have been killed as a direct consequence of this war and the country has been destabilized immensely. This critical situation has been further aggravated by the fact that CIA’s drone attacks have killed a great number of innocent people than real militants. Unfortunately, the loss of innocent human lives is counted as collateral damage as proclaimed by the insane war logic that a guilty nation does not have any innocent people. Terror, violence and bloodshed have become the norm of the day in the war- stricken region, adding to the sufferings of politically and economically instable nation.
Aslam admits that a reader may find elements of intertextuality in the novel. For instance, the youthful intensity of human relationships is derived from Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ but not its anguished love triangle. The sliced-off trigger finger of a character by the warlord is an instance from Michael Ondaatje’s captivating fiction whereas another character is nearly blinded by a warlord’s thumb dipped in crushed ruby dust. The evidence of intertextuality in Aslam’s fiction reveals that he is well-versed in both classical and modern literature. Aslam narrates an autobiographical incident of taping over his eyes twenty-four hours a day, over a period of three weeks. He ended this strange experiment after losing consciousness momentarily, when he regained consciousness he was covered in bruises. He recounts his experience of having intensified visions and nightmares but what he missed the most was his weekly practice of painting, enabling him to visualize scenes for his fiction.
Aslam’s fiction portrays a multiplicity of characters, young and old, consumed by the emotions of love and hatred, motivated by humanistic ideals, driven by liberating agenda and burning with the sentiments of revenge and retaliation. Aslam skillfully presents the entire range of characters. However, he reveals that portraying young characters is quite challenging as we often tend to either ignore or underestimate their grief and sufferings. He, further, says that young people are often entangled in a social and moral dilemma as they are brought up with a set of ideals but when they approach the real world, to their dismay, the ideals are no longer at work that leaves them perplexed. Aslam raises a very pertinent question, what sort of coping strategies the young will adopt, will they also be corrupted or a heroic living is still possible against the odds? Youth is susceptible to many societal ills because of their ideological conditioning. Aslam highlights the idea that societal influences are powerful enough to shape the perception of the young and old alike. The brothers’ idealism is grounded in humanist values enshrined in the teachings of Islam, compelling them to support ailing humanity in the troubled land of Afghanistan.
‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ is marked by Aslam’s exquisite prose, filled with vivid descriptions of the landscape and the intricacies of human emotions as well as cultural and political contexts in which the characters are grounded. Through his lyrical writing, Aslam invites readers to engage with the characters’ struggles and to reflect on the wider implications of war and terrible consequences it entails for the survivours. The novel is concluded on both poignant and hopeful note by highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of redemption. As the characters confront their own demons and make difficult choices, Aslam leaves room for healing and the potential for a better future, not corrupted by religiously, racially and ethnically biased perceptions and practices.
Plot Development
‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ is set in a contemporary yet timeless world where the desire to return home is the strongest of all and the boundaries between a foe and friend are almost blurred and indistinguishable. The narrative is constructed in a language that is both lyrical and deeply penetrative thereby devolving into the consciousness of its characters and its readers alike. The acclaimed novelist contextualizes this narrative in the lands of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the post 9/11 era. The exquisitely written novel describes war onslaughts within the context of a family’s suffering and invincible human impulses.
The novel presents an illuminating tale of two foster brothers based in a small town in Pakistan. Unified by their foster relationship, Joe and Mikal spend their life together. During their childhood, they were inseparable in their moments of pain and pleasure. However, the youthful days of their life have transformed the reality of existence for both of them. Joe is a dedicated medical student who is inspired by humanist ideals and is married for a year and so. Mikal, on the other hand, has been a vagabond and is involved in a romantic relationship with a woman. However, this relationship is not converted into a matrimonial bond. Mikal is entangled in a troublesome condition not only becauseof the futility of his relationship but because of the awkwardness of the situation as the love of his life gets married to his foster brother, Joe.
However, Mikal’s love for his sibling is neither constrained by any such material conditions nor diminishes. This is reflected in his decision of accompanying Joe in his attempt to cross the borders and enter the war-stricken Afghan land. Joe does not have any liberating agenda to fight either against the American invading power or support the Taliban. On the contrary, he is just preoccupied with the humanist ideals to provide medical aid to the people suffering war casualties without any discrimination of colour, caste and creed. Mikal, on the other hand, surrenders to his irresistible impulse of accompanying his brother to protect and safeguard him amidst catastrophic conditions caused by the American invasion of Afghanistan. However, their journey into the land of their neighbouring country is neither peaceful, nor is it meant to be in the wilds of Afghanistan amidst bombing and shelling.
Mikal joins Joe in his journey as a saviour and rescuer but ends up imprisoned and tortured by both Afghan warlords and American soldiers and remains especially cognizant of the multiple realities of our world. The blind man in the title of the novel represents Joe’s father who always laments his wife’s death. He is perpetually haunted by the bitter memories of his past and the atrocities he caused under the guise of Islam and nationhood. Irrespective of Joe’s and his wife’s resolve to keep the household running, their lives are seized by the turmoil of war. Aslam reveals the impact of hegemonic masculinity by depicting war and the trauma it causes for the survivours. War entails negative psychological, emotional, political, economic and cultural implications. He also presents a counter-narrative to the expression of this hegemonic masculinity by the character of Mikal who presents an alternative of helpful behaviour rather than harmful one. This is clearly reflected in Mikal’s decision of saving the life of an American soldier at the cost of risking his own. This decision of Mikal is, primarily, influenced by the sight of a snow leopard cub with whom he has befriended. However, the American soldier cannot resist his hegemonic masculine desirefor dominance because of his ethnocentric approach, consciously or unconsciously, to viewing the world from the perspective of his own people often grounded in ethnic bias.
The American attack on Afghan land is also a clear manifestation of not only hegemonic masculinity but also of ethnic bias, an overt application of ethnocentrism. Aslam’s blind man, Rohan, develops a strange association with birds and trees and appreciates their presence and is worrisome about the captivityof birds but, ironically, is unable to realize that women are also ‘oppressed of the oppressed creatures’ and they are, also, held captives under various societal norms and practices. An obvious explanation of this differential treatment is, obviously, grounded in patriarchal social order and is masked by hegemonic masculinity. Paradoxically, these are the female characters, the weaker sex, who provide hope for the blind man and enable him to traverse through the garden which is a symbolic reference to Pakistan. Aslam rubbishes egalitarian masculinity through the developmentof his narrative and highlights the importance of leading a life which excludes the exercise of dominance and violence as a survival strategy in the patriarchal social order. Aslam, through its compelling narrative, reconstructs the image of hegemonic masculinity which is in clash with the societal conception of stereotypical masculinity.
The novel serves as a chronicle of war-stricken Afghan land for the Western readership and highlights the emotions and perspectives of people of Afghanistan and Pakistan regarding American involvement in the region. This literary exploration juxtaposes human relationships and tender feelings within the backdrop of death and destruction caused by war. Aslam, as an objective analyst, documents the intricate details of initial two years of American led war against terror and its impact on the romantic relationship between Naheed and Mikal, the latter emerging as the central character of the novel as the narrative progresses.
Major Themes
One of the most prominent themes of the novel is the terrible consequences war entails for its survivours. Aslam’s vivid description of death, destruction and devastation caused by war mongers reveals its impact on both individual and communal level. War does not cause only physical suffering but also psychological and its profound impact lasts for a considerable time period. The traumatized individuals struggle for life to regain peace and tranquility. War does not only cause human misery and suffering but also leads to the disintegration of the social order and results into chaos and anarchy. Innocent civilians pay heavy price for the irrational decisions taken by the so- called saviour of humanity. Aslam through this compelling narrative shows that there are no winners or losers in war but only survivors.
Aslam examines the complexities of war which are not restricted to the battlefield only but have far- reaching consequences of political, social and cultural nature. The characters in the novel are trapped in a perpetual series of violence and destruction. They face challenges of loss, displacement and the erosion of cultural heritage. Through their livid experiences, Aslam illuminates the enduring trauma inflicted by war and the long-lasting complications it has on individuals and societies.
Another important theme of the novel enshrines in healing power of love and enduring passion of sacrifice. Aslam shows that love and sacrifice are magical powers which altogether transform human existence from mere material survival to aspiring for sublime and lofty agenda of rescuing and saving humanity from the evil shackles of violence, terror and hatred. The characters in the novel make profound sacrifices driven by love for their homeland, family and ideals. Jeo’s decision to support the Taliban, against foreign oppression, is motivated by his desire to overcome the suffering of the marginalized community while Mikal accompanies him in his mission out of unwavering loyalty. Their actions reflect the emancipating power of love and the human urge to extend support to their near and dear ones to liberate them from any form of covert or overt oppression, dominance and aggression. Aslam also explores the complexities of love within the context of war. The relationships between the characters, such as Jeo and Mikal’s bond as brothers, the love triangle involving Mikal, Jeo and Naheed and the connection between Rohan and the Afghan people, all highlight the waysin which love is tested and transformed amidst the chaos, conflict and disintegration caused by war.
The sense of identity and belonging are, also, significant themes in the novel. Aslam explores the challenges faced by individuals in the quest of their cultural and national identities in a world defined by segregating social categories of varied nature. The characters struggle to comprehend the essential elements that define their identity, whether it is rooted in socio-political structures, cultural practices, territorial boundaries, nationalistic sentiments, or religious beliefs. The sense of identity and belonging gains more significance amidst the chaos and displacement caused by war. Positive association with a community coupled with the sense of purpose provides solace against the backdrop of world marked by political and social turmoil.
‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ explores the blurred lines between good and evil, reflecting complex human nature. Aslam portrays characters who are neither utterly evil nor purely innocent and challenge simplistic categorization of humans as either angelic personifications or devilish incarnations. His powerful narrative reveals how good and evil coexist and are in perpetual struggle to seek dominance. Aslam examines how religious, political and cultural ideologies are manipulated for personal gains. He, also, highlights how power corrupts and emphasizes for the need of developing cross cultural understanding during turbulent times for maximizing peace and harmony and minimizing conflict and tension.
Religion and faith are also explored in the novel at a greater length and Aslam critically examines the interplay between personal beliefs and the manipulation of religious ideologies for political gain. The characters are torn up between their own interpretations of religious doctrine and how it shapes their actions in a world marked by violence and bloodshed in the guise of conflicting religious beliefs. Thus, the novel addresses themes of the human cost of war, love and sacrifice, identity and belonging, the blurred lines between good and evil and the complexities of religion and faith. We can conclude that Aslam discusses pertinent issues which are central to human survival through profound exploration of the impact of conflict on both individual and societal levels, enabling readers to reflect on the broader implications of war and the enduring resilience of the undefeatable human spirit.
Art of Characterization
Nadeem Aslam is an acclaimed writer, greatly celebrated for his diversified and intricate characterization. His novels are populated by complex and multi-dimensional characters who are commonly found in ordinary life and bring depth to his narratives for being true to their nature. Aslam’s skill in the art of characterization lies in his ability to create individuals who are flawed, but easily relatable and who face the complex challenges of life in the wake of adversaries with humility and humanity. They are mortal yet refuse to surrender to the evil powers of dominance and destruction.
A unique aspect of Aslam’s characterization is his attention to detail and vivid descriptions. He meticulously portrays the physical appearance and provides profound insights into psychology of his characters. The vivid portrayal of his characters is aimed at enabling readers to fully immerse themselves in the lives of his characters so that they can develop a deeper understanding of their motivation and actions. Furthermore, Aslam’s characters often find themselves trapped in socio- political turmoil that is instrumental in exposing their vulnerability and aspirations, influencing readers to positively associate themselves with them. Aslam does not portray mere archetype characters but fully realized individuals who are capable of love and hate and whose dilemmas reflect the complexities of the world they live in. Through inner monologues, Aslam exposes that his characters are both vulnerable and capable of performing brutal deeds.
In addition to their individual struggle, Aslam’s characters often interact with one another in complex ways and create interrelationships that further add richness to his narrative. This interrelatedness of his characters highlights the dynamics of love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal which are fundamentally required for the plot development. Aslam’s skill lies in his ability to portray the intricacies of these relationships to establish the inherently complex nature of humans. Through his characters, Aslam provides profound insights into the human survival conditions and highlights that human desires, aspirations, struggles and conflicts are universal in nature that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Aslam challenges readers’ preconceived notions about certain religious and ethnic communities and influences them to revisit their biased perceptions while considering complexity of human nature. His critical acclaim is grounded in his skillful portrayal of diversified range of characters that make his novels both compelling and thought-provoking.
Nadeem Aslam’s Writing Style
Nadeem Aslam is celebrated for his distinctive and lyrical writing style that is rich in imagery and symbolism. His works are replete with evocative descriptions that create a vivid and immersive reading experience.Aslam’s style is characterized by several notable features including but not limited to poetic language, rhythmic semantic patterns, appropriate syntactic structures and careful selection of lexical bundles which are both precise and evocative. His use of metaphorical language heightens the emotional impact and stylistic appeal of his narratives.
Aslam’s writing is, also, known for its vivid and detailed descriptions of people, places, and events that are skillfully assimilated in his narrative structure. He paints a sensory landscape while capturing the sights, sounds, smells and textures of his settings. Through his descriptive prose, readers are transported to the streets of Pakistan or the war-torn landscapes of Afghanistan and submerge themselves in their tales of love and hatred, success and failure, violence and peace, etc. Aslam employs symbolism and imagery to convey deeper meanings and explore thematic elements of his narartives. His use of recurring symbols and motifs adds layers of complexity and multiplicity of meanings to his narratives. Through the use of figurative language, he enables readers to critically engage in meaning construction and negotiation.
Aslam’s novels often employ a non-linear narrative structure by incorporating flashbacks, multiple perspectives and interwoven subplots. This technique skillfully portrays the fragmented lives of his characters and reflects the complexity of their material and ideological existence. Aslam’s power of storytelling manifests itself in carefully crafted tales that gradually unfold the interconnections between characters and events, rendering a sense of anticipation and intrigue. Aslam’s writings frequently addresses socio-political issues which are particularly relevant to contemporary urban and rural societies. He incorporates his social- political critique seamlessly into the narrative by blending it with the personal and collective journeys of his characters.
Aslam’s narrative style is highly diversified. Sometimes he makes use of simple sentences but occasionally the length of a single sentence goes to the extent of a paragraph but it is never done at the expense of cohesion and coherence. Whether it is the English countryside, war-torn Afghanistan, or the bustling streets of Lahore, Aslam’s novels transport readers into immersive worlds that are both beautiful and haunting, yet inescapable.
Another notable feature of Aslam’s work is his attention to detail and research to provide authentic accounts of troublesome tales of love and suffering. His novels are meticulously crafted owing to his extensive research into historical events within the backdrop of their political contexts and cultural practices. For instance, his novel ‘The Wasted Vigil’ delves into the Afghan Soviet war and its aftermath, while ‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ explores the impact of the war on terror on individuals and families in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Aslam’s commitment to authenticity and his ability to humanize complex political issues make his novels not only though provoking but also invite critical and academic scholarship to deconstruct grand narrative presented by the native writers of English speaking world.