Abstract In this comprehensive book review of Salman Rushdie's "Midnight Children" the author looks at mixture and fragmentation as major themes that persist throughout the novel. This, the author believes, leads to clues to the meaning of hybridity. The author looks at the classic example of hybridity as shown in mixing spices and, takes this theme further in reviewing Rushdie's book. He points out one of the areas where hybridity can be seen in the book, is through the character of Aadam Aziz. Aziz is a doctor who has spent five years in Germany studying medicine and returns to his homeland only to find that he is different, forever changed. The author elaborates on this and other instances in the book and, concludes that hybridization is a fact of colonization, there is no longer the pure one or the other.
From the Paper "Even in the act of leaving and giving Indians their freedom, the British have exerted their influence. Methwold's metaphor shows the power of the colonizing force in defining the agenda for the newly freed nation. Yet this force is not completely oppressive. As Methwold asserts his supremacy through his constant retelling of his ancestors who helped to build Bombay, Sinai learns the discourse and uses it to empower himself. "Actually, old chap, ours is a pretty distinguished family, too," Sinai says to Methwold (122). The word "actually" indicates the slippage, the difference, and the correction of Methwold's original conception of Sinai. The mimic "old chap" softens the challenge as Ahmed Sinai identifies himself with the Englishman through this very English term of endearment. Through imitation, Sinai attempts to seize the power for himself. Though the lineage that Ahmed Sinai attributes to himself is purely fictional, it nevertheless shows the mimic effect of colonization."
Abstract This essay looks at the article "The Relationship between Machiavellian-ism and Absence Rate: An Empirical Study", published in the International Journal of Management. The writer notes that this article discusses the relationship between absenteeism rates and the Machiavellian personality orientation, both from a past literature perspective, and in use of study descriptions and results. The writer points out that the author, Abdul Aziz, sought to determine if the Machiavellian personality was positively related to the rate of absenteeism in a general workplace, as well as determine if, instead, this rate of absenteeism was positively related to gender or workplace status. This discussion focuses on Aziz's research project in terms of validity threats, including those of internal, external, and measurement validity threats, control issues, knowledge gained and questions remaining from the study, and the overall effectiveness of the study. Additionally, this discussion pinpoints possible improvements to the research.
From the Paper "In this research study, the main goal was to determine if the Machiavellian personality type was positively correlated to absenteeism. Shavelson (2000) notes that, for historical validity, one should ask if anything could have happened during the course of the study that may have affected the dependent variable which, in this case, is the absenteeism rate of the subjects. Since the absenteeism rates were historical in nature, this threat is not applicable. In terms of maturation threats, Shavelson (2000) notes to question whether or not the study is controlled over a period of time, allowing the development of the outcome. Again, since this study was based on a single survey design, this threat is not applicable."
Abstract The paper is presented as a report which provides an initial review of the culture and society of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The report provides demographics, background and some general recommendations for corporate policy as the company expands its business into the Middle East. Specific recommendations are provided throughout the report to emphasize key points to be addressed in the corporate guidelines to be published at a future date.
From the Paper "In 1902, Abdul Aziz Al-Sa'ud and a band of his followers captured the city of Riyadh and placed the city under the control of the Al Saud family. Abdul Aziz spent the next 12 years consolidating the area around Riyadh and the eastern part of the country into the family kingdom. In order to restore law and order in the kingdom, Abdul Aziz implemented a system whereby every sheikh was responsible for his own tribe under the authority of the king who was empowered to intervene to impose law and order. Saudi Arabia subsequently became an absolute monarchy with no political parties. King Fahd, who succeeded in 1982, appoints a Council of Ministers to run day-to-day affairs. A consultative council (Majlis as-Shura), numbering about 60, has been established to advise the monarch; it has no formal powers."
Abstract This paper examines the failures in King Fahd of Saudii Arabia's reign. It shows that despite the fact that he was born a prince of the House of Saud, he does not have the credentials of a modern, educated, leader with a global understanding and perspective. The paper examines his failure as an Islamic leader as well as the failures in the King's foreign, economic and domestic policies. The paper also looks at Saudii Arabia's future, with the future king, Prince Abdullah, at its helm.
From the Paper "During the reign of King Fahd, the economic position of the Kingdom has become increasingly dismal. The five-year plans that have been promulgated have been a monument to the failure of the country to achieve its major goals of diversification of industry and distribution of goods and wealth throughout the country. Some of the foreign policy initiatives of Fahd -- particularly his movement toward the United States -- have been dictated by his failures to right the course of the economy. Thus, the country has become more and more dependent on direct and indirect economic support from the United States."
Abstract Salman Rushdie's novel "Midnight's Children", which developed a fictional world that played off the political, social and cultural history of India, received many awards when it was published in 1981. The paper shows how Rushdie, in the 30 chapters of the book, creates in the character Saleem a story-teller who makes use of legends, symbols, fantasies to express the life of India.
From the Paper "Saleem is one of the children born at the moment of India's liberation, so his life fits precisely with the history of modern India. His family situation also reflects the complexities of Indian history, especially the religious conflicts of the time. The family patriarch was Dr. Aziz, who earlier in the century came from Muslim Kashmir, a disputed territory between Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. Dr. Aziz moved to India, and his granddaughter married a well-to-do Muslim businessman named Ahmed Sinai. Saleem is born in Bombay, and his birth is given added importance by being preceded by a prophecy which everyone finds impossible to understand, but which comes true in every particular. One reason for this adds to the complexities of Saleem's family life, for Saleem is not the child everyone believes but is instead an infant switched in the maternity home so that he is actually not from the rich Muslim family but is instead the child of a Hindu street entertainer--here, again, he is a mixture of religious backgrounds as well as socioeconomic contrasts."
Abstract "A Passage to India"by E.M. Forster and the movie based on it, written and directed by David Lean, share themes and plot elements, but are vastly different. This paper explains that the sixty years between the two show a different emphasis on the colonial experience of the British in India and the relationships of the peoples from both societies. Forster was concerned with the political realities of the colonial Raj in India, and Lean was more interested in the personal relationships of the characters only.
From the Paper "Lean's version did make fun of the stuffy, arrogant English colonialists, but he softened Forster's political and psychological criticism, thereby throwing away almost all of the novel's philosophical complexity (Crowdus). Indeed, Lean's movie version was primarily spectacle. Shot on location, it was more concerned with pomp and the trappings of the immorality of colonialism and imperial pretensions than it did with the underlying political and human dilemmas (Young). He changed the focus from a political story to one of personalities."
Abstract Forster's "A Passage to India" and Kipling's "Kim" have often been viewed as literary works that are in opposition to each other, since the former has been construed as a critique of British imperialism in India, whereas the latter has been seen as pro-imperialism. Indeed, this scholarly opinion seems to dominate critical analysis of British colonial literature on India, leading to a wide body of work that highlights the striking contrast between Forster's and Kipling's portrayal of the British Raj in India. One outcome of this scholarly tradition is that very little attempt has been made to analyze the similarities, if any, between the two works. As a result, there is one very marked commonality between the two works that has tended to be overlooked, which is the theme of social identity. Therefore, this paper highlights and discusses the fact that both "A Passage to India" and "Kim" serve as a commentary on the importance of the role played by social and cultural identity in creating and perpetuating the divide between nations and races.
From the Paper "Kipling, in fact, achieves his purpose through positing the premise that the only way to bridge the divide between nations and races is through the intermingling of social and cultural values. Whereas, as evidenced by the earlier discussion, Forster's approach was to highlight the social and cultural differences that prevented the formation of friendships between the British and the Indians. Of course, several critics have interpreted Kipling's Kim as a novel that demonstrates the importance of knowing India and its customs in order to rule it (Hubel, p. 87), thereby further supporting the view of Kipling as a pro-imperialism author. The fact, however, remains that there is enough scope to equally interpret Kim as a story that shows the path to becoming a ?friend of all the world.?"
Abstract This paper studies the E.M. Forester novel "A Passage to India," paying particular attention to the rich Orientalism in the work. The paper begins with a detailed plot synopsis, and then examines the novel's various conflicts -- such as the tension between Indians and Anglos. The main themes the paper examines are the fear of differences and the search for happiness, peace and love. The paper relates frequently to the text, using quoted passages to underscore its points.
From the Paper "Living in a state of oppression - being considered the subordinate race - has an effect on Aziz' interactions with everyone. He laces his words with sarcasm, chooses them carefully and immediately analyzes them. But the curious part is that the British characters like Miss Quested, Mrs. Moore, Cyril Fielding and others, do the same thing - desiring to treat Indians fairly one minute, then revealing (through thoughts, words or deeds) their elitism and condescension the next.
As for Miss Quested, she accepted everything Aziz said as true verbally. In her ignorance, she regarded him as "India," and never surmised that his outlook was limited and his method inaccurate, and that no one is India."
Abstract This paper takes a look at E.M. Foster's book, "A Passage to India". According to the paper, the British occupation of India was the showcase of modern imperialism and the conflicts that result when two such cultures clash. The paper further discusses how this book provides the reader with a holistic picture of how Muslims and Indians lived under British rule.
From the Paper "The loyalist mentality was especially strong in the historical context of British rule among Muslims and Indians. Throughout the early 20th century, the Indian empire was primarily ruled by a small class of British citizens and the majority was Indian governors. However, these Indian magistrates went through the British school system, many of them raised in primarily British areas or in England itself. As a result, the subjugation of the population occurred not through the dichotomy of British vs. Indians, but an internal struggle. In analyzing the British strategy for colonialism, this is one of the principle devices used to stave off revolution and rebellion. Precisely because the front of governance rests within the native population, internal conflict rather than external conflict is the focus within India in the early 20th century. The conflict between loyalists and revolutionists ensured that the country as a whole was split as to which path to pursue. The inevitable result is inaction. "
Tags: loyalists, revolutionaries, foreign, terrorism, hatred, Aziz
Abstract This paper explains that situations of racial and ethnic strife occurred long before the British colonization of India; however, the British presence created a worsened landscape. The paper relates that this stark realization of racism is played out in E. M. Forster's novel "Passage to India", especially within the symbolism of the Marabar Caves, which is the orient to the usurpers. The author points out that the trial of protagonist Aziz is an example of how such mystery feeds the minds of a fearful population, both native and white.
From the Paper "The foundations of the strife between the characters and the community in stark realization, during the only time in the novel when the "truth" is allowed to be heard is still evident, as many probably walked away from the incident and the trial with a clear sense of the mystery that surrounds the caves. No one is allowed to discover the whole truth, as to whom if anyone really attacked the white woman, or if it was simply the fear of the surroundings that rebuffed the young girl."
