A persons life and the choices they ultimately make are shaped by their continuously changing circumstances. In Jasmine, Bharati Mukherjee introduces us to the various changes that her novels main protagonist Jasmine goes through, as she journeys from the world of rural Indian Punjab to that of Americas Mid-West, discovering her American dream in the process. The author does not shy away from exposing the inadequacies of both these worlds and masterfully explores their inhabitants individual search for peace and happiness, giving the main character of her novel the liberty to make a more human choice towards the end.
One of the main challenges in any individuals life is to break free from the established social norms and conventions to do what they believe would ultimately bring them happiness and not what society would judge to be a right or an acceptable choice. Above anything else, it is this personal freedom that America represents and offers to all those who come to its shores, and this plays a pivotal role in Jasmines eventual metamorphosis. The author beautifully explores the gradual realization of this very freedom by the main character of her novel, and how it ultimately informs the subsequent decisions that she takes and the choices that she ultimately makes.
The beauty of the narrative is further complemented by how it juxtaposes rural India against Mid-Western America, showing us how the same person can behave differently when offered with varying levels of social constrictions and personal freedom. It is interesting to see how Mukherjee uses the concept of reincarnation to illustrate the many transformations that Jyoti from India goes through before she begins to think and act like Jase from America without consciously deciding to abandon one identity in favor of another.
Mukherjee is equally unforgiving when looking at the hollowness of both the American Mid-West and the many social cruelties of rural India, but she carefully uses them to show the changes that take place in Jasmines personality as she moves from one end of the world to another. The author also does not shy away from showing how each such transformation is accompanied by its own share of pain and, sometimes, violence.
Being the main protagonist of the novel, Jasmine is joined in the various stages of her life by the men and women who become a part of her many identities that she acquires during the course of her transformation. While the story continues to revolve around her, each character introduced in the narrative plays a significant role in her eventual metamorphosis. However, Bud Ripplemeyer, her wheelchair-bound partner, in Elsa County, Iowa, who is presented as being twice her age and the head of the towns bank, marks the most profound evolution in her character with her discovery of sexual and emotional emancipation.
She is also joined during this phase by another Asian immigrant, Du, her and Buds adopted son from Vietnam, to give another immigrants perspective of what it means to become an American. One can almost see the faint similarities between Jasmines and Dus ongoing transformation when she comments on how Du Thien who could barely speak English at the time of his arrival to America has gone on to become Du Ripplemeyer who now speaks fluent English, however with a permanent accent like Kissinger. Jasmine herself however declines to become a Ripplemeyer, but her very decision to not do so despite carrying Buds child highlights the most important transformation in her character when she begins to realize the many freedoms that her new home offers her with.
The novel is an almost careful and deliberate celebration of the immigrant American dream of freedom and prosperity. Mukherjee beautifully highlights the various changes and transformations that Jasmine, a 20th century non-white illegal immigrant to America, goes through as she journeys between rural India and suburban California. The author beautifully portrays her gradual assimilation into her new surroundings and her subconscious discovery of the various personal and social freedoms now at her disposal. As Jasmine evolves between the two extremes of Jyoti Vijh and Jane Ripplemeyer, and eventually an independent-minded Jase, with her strength and determination, she inadvertently ends up representing the indomitable spirit of all those who come to Americas shores in search of peace and prosperity. However, in offering us a glimpse of this transformation, Mukherjee masterfully highlights the various hardships and setbacks that accompany her characters journey and, by that extension, that of most refugees and mercenaries and guest workers that make this journey in search of their American dream.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment