The Shadow Lines: A Quest Beyond Borders

Abstract

We are born within boundaries of nations. The inevitability of territorial i dentity is a concept that has been challenged by the subjective needs for 'spaces' in recent years. Therefore, most studies reflect a natural tendency to give up on ' places' and focus on 'spaces'. Space inherently indicates a free-floating area which, unless given specific dimensions, is a flexibl e concept that accommodates any life. This space may give birth to hybridity, confusion, melancholy, disill usionment, continuity, interstitiality, creativity, diaspora, or even surrender of the sel f. In other words, this space offers absol ute freedom to steer identity to any direction that it chooses to al ign itself with, at any point of time. In a postmodern, postcolonial or rather de-col onized worl d, the self is relieved from the burden of specificities. What then forms identity? H ow does nationalism fit its moul d? Can identity be over and above fixed spaces? If so, is it the burden of hybridity that gives birth to diaspora? Is it the same burden that l eads to systematic repression, resilience, and finally, obli vi on? If ever the self chooses to live within the circle of l ife again, does it give birth to a new person burdened by history and in a state of "in-between-ness"? This essay will attempt to discuss these questions in the l ight of Amitav Ghosh' s novel , The Shadow Lines.