A GOD IN EVERY STONE: REPRESENTATION OF BRITISH EMPIRE

Abstract

The study aims to explore the representation of the British Empire in Kamila Shamsie's novel, A God in Every Stone. Additionally, it seeks to understand why the novelist emphasizes social change over political change. The analysis draws on the theories of Orientalism and Culture and Imperialism proposed by Edward Said, using them to interpret the text and contextualize the novel. The source of primary data for this qualitative research is the novel itself, while secondary data includes relevant journals and articles. The findings of the study reveal the portrayal of the British Empire as superior compared to the Ottoman Empire, reflecting a favoring of colonial discourse. The character Vivian Rose Spencer, a skilled artist, exemplifies discriminatory practices of the British Empire towards Indians. Furthermore, the findings of this study demonstrate that the novel portrays a preference for social change over political change. The novelist gives preference to social change and belittles movement of liberation since according to her, freedom through such movements ensures freedom to half of the population which means male community. The novelist devalues both Haji sab of Taurangzai and Ghaffar Khan; the former for announcing Jihad against the colonizers and the latter for non-violence.

Keywords: Representation, Empire, Imperialism, Orientalism, Colonial discourses.