PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF LINGUISTICS(PJL)

Vol.3 No.2 2020

BURNT SHADOWS” IN THE LIGHT OF POST-COLONIAL THEORY

Abstract:
This study scrutinizes the Novel, Burnt Shadows (2009), of the British-Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie.
The paper intends to discuss the elements (Metropolitanism, other, Hybridity, Nativism and Diaspora) of
Post-Colonial Theory found in Kamila Shamsie’s novel. We’ll see how Colonizers (English) treated
Colonized (Indians) and how natives reacted against their injustice. Furthermore the study discusses the
condition of the people living in their colonizers’ country. The paper also tells the history of India before
and during the British Raj. How many rulers had conquered it, and how they governed and treated
natives? English also occupied and ruled India, but how their ways of ruling were different from all
others previous rulers.

Keywords:
Post-Colonial Theory, Colonizers, Colonized, Metropolitanism, other, Hybridity, Nativism and
Diaspora.

Introduction:
Post-colonialism is basically a reaction of colonized people. How they were colonized and were being
treated based on post-colonial theory. Colonizers’ injustice and limitless cruelty remain main theme of
this story. The novel was divided into four parts. The first part deals with 1945, the atomic bombing; the
second in 1947, The Immediate Partition Scenario; Third in 1982 Pakistan and Fourth with 2001-2, the
post 9/11 time period. The story has quick changing in itself which creates complexity in understanding
the novel. Post-colonialistic elements such as,
Metropolitans, Eurocentric, other, Mimicry, Diaspora, Hybridity and Nationalism are being discussed in
the novel. In all Post-colonialistic elements, other is dominant in the novel.
When British came to India, they divided Hindus and Muslims and ruled over them. They colonized
Indians and considered savage, undeveloped and unsophisticated.
E.M. Forster writes in “A passage to India” that it was mentioned on the sign board of their clubs

“Indians and dogs were not allowed”. (1924)

Sajjad is protagonist of the novel represents India; on the other hand his employer James Burton
represents British Raj. English as colonizers considered themselves culturally superior to other and
considered Indians culturally backward people. To think in the way, comes in the category of
Metropolitanism. Feeling of otherness of Burtons for Sajjad germinates another element of Post-
Colonialism that is called Nativism. In this element Sajjad leaves Burton’s job and puts off English
clothes and puts on kurta Pajama. Sajjad has also been depicted as hybrid that is shown in the novel
knotted between two cultures. The novel Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie is really based on the
theory of post-colonialism.

In this novel almost all elements of post-colonialism are skillfully applied. In all elements, other is
dominant throughout the novel. Sajjad and James Burton’s relation is technically mentioned; Sajjad is
puppet in the hand of James. Sajjad represents India and James English. Sajjad as Hybrid tied between
eastern and western cultures. Hiroko’s arrival in Sajjad’s life gives sense of freedom. Her love enables

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him to prove himself nativist.

So far as Postcolonial literary research methodology is concerned we can see that Indians have been
colonized by British and were made slaves in their own territory. After taking a bird eye view of the
British Raj, the paper has undergone the experiences of colonized to foreground their tension and strain
with colonizers. Postcolonial writers have chosen colonizers’ language to make them clear that how
much they have exploited India during their reign. Colonizers believed that they had brought
development in India on broad scale. Before their advent India was undeveloped ant its people were
uncivilized and backward.

Thus, Postcolonial Discourse critically discusses the British attitude towards Indians. The treatment of
English people with native people has microscopically been studied in the light of postcolonial theory.
The elements of postcolonial theory which are being selected are Metropolitans, Eurocentric, Other,
Mimicry, Diaspora, Hybridity and Nationalism. These aspects of postcolonial literary discourse are very
much relevant to the textual study of the novel Burnt Shadows.
Hybridity:

Hybridity shows the change of culture, and we could see that in colonialization, people of India were
struck between the two cultures. They, willingly or unwillingly, had to adopt the new culture. As we can
see when British start ruling over the Sub-continent, they crushed the natives like a pity insect under the
shoes of their strict rules. Indians had to follow fixed rules set for them by the ruling government.
During Colonial period India had lost its identity because of amalgamation of English culture.

M.A.R. Habib said ““The Notion of Hybridity” is central to Bhabha’s work in challenging notions of
identity, culture and nation as coherent and unified entities that exhibits a linear historical development.
Hybrid expresses a state of in betweenness an in person who stands between two cultures.” (Habib 750).

The protagonist is Hybrid; he traveled in two boats, he had to follow both cultures in order to fit in the
circle of his personal and professional life. His family were following native Delhi culture and they were
interested in poetry. He enjoyed the memories of his early life by remembering being in a gathering
where everyone in reciting the verses. On the other corner, he used to wear English clothes, play chess
with James since dawn to dusk. He was chained in two cultures he used to wear traditional in the home
and English at work. To prove I’m quoting parts form the novel:

“He had talent for verse and it was only when in Delhi that he spoke fervently of the culture of poetry he
had grown up with, in Dilli itself, while his brothers and sisters in law and aunts and cousins and mother
traded couplets with each other, his mind would occupy itself with thoughts
of chess games which he and James Burton carried over from day to the next as though they were stories
of sultans and djinnis. If there was to be honest, he missed the day when it was legal document rather
than chess game which occupied his thoughts each morning but one day they would return to that no
doubt. James Burton had promised him (Shamsie, 34)

James Burton always kept Sajjad engaged in chess, and whenever Sajjad asked him to give him time for
law practice, he just promised to discuss that some other day. Sajjad as a hybrid had to bear all unjust
behavior of Burton’s family.

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Metropolitanism:

According to Metropolitanism the people of colonizers consider that colonized are undeveloped. They
also think that without assistance they never progress. With the point of view of colonizers, their culture
is superior to other. The Europeans colonizers planned for the development of lands for the backward
people, but their arguments was totally opposite to their actions. Basically, they occupied the lands and
loot natural resources of the area.

“The colonizers believe that only their own Anglo-European culture was civilized, sophisticated, or as
Post-colonial critics put it, metropolitan. Therefore native people defined as savage, backward and
undeveloped. Because their technology was more highly advanced, and they ignored or swept aside the
religion, custom and codes of behavior of the peoples they subjugated.” (Tyson, 419)
In the very beginning of the novel, we noticed the elements of metropolitanism. When Sajjad ruminate
on British India. Sajjad’s cast was very downfall due to his homeland and quick disappearance of its
venerable culture. He meditate that British come to India for trade but they slowly got power and
occupied it and colonized us in our homeland. In the history of Post-colonial literature. Injustice of
British Raj with Indians remained unforgettable. After the occupation in India, British made their
separate colonies. Their colonies were well organized and demarcated by the boundary of huge and
strong walls. They always kept Indians away from their company.
Sajjad says: “there was Delhi; city of the Raj, where every Englishman's bungalow had lush gardens,
lined with red flowerpots. That was the end of Sajjad's ruminations on British India.

Flowerpots it summed it all up. No trees growing in courtyards for English, no rooms clustered around
these courtyards; instead, separations and demarcation. (Shamsie, 33)

Sajjad's sorrows increased whenever he looked at those demarcating flowerpots. British separated the
ways of living and had proved that Indians were savage, backward and inferior to them. Sajjad wants to
see British out of his country because of their rude behavior. And also for the reason, he lives with
Burtons, has known well that this English beaten with broom can never be sincere with Indians. Sajjad
thinks that India is just a guest house for English. They have to move back their home, if not in this
century, must be over the next century. They have lived in India more than hundred years but could not
learn any native language, could not adopt any culture and always lived separate like strangers.

Sajjad says: “yes these are interruptions-1857 was one, perhaps the departure of the British will be
another-but believe me over the next century Dilli will continue to what it has been doing for the last
two centuries.” (Shamsie, p. 40)
The belief of James Burton regarding India, before advent of English people, was undeveloped and
uneducated. He also thought that if British had left India, it would have destroyed.
Burton says, “If that really is the case, then you are mistaken in thinking you will live and die there”
(Shamsie, p. 40-41).

Other
This element represents discarded people. Colonizers considered native people different and treated
them as they would be worst creature of the world. They could not join their company and even their
entrance was not allowed in their colonies and hotels.
E.M Froster writes in “A passage to India" that Indians and dogs were not allowed in their colonies and

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clubs" (1924)

It is discussed in detail in critical theory today by Lois Tyson.

“As the embodiment of what a human being should be, the proper “self”; native people were considered
“Other” different, and therefore inferior to the point of being less then fully human. This practice of
judging all who are different as less than fully human is called Othering, and it divides the word between
us (the “civilized”) an “then” (the “other” or savages”). (Tyson, p. 420).
Many researchers has analyzed Post-colonial throughout the Novel Burnt Shadows, Kamila Shamsie
highlights the concept of “other” and “otherness" in the novel. As we can see, for James Sajjad was
other. Sajjad was interested in law and he always requested to James to give him time for practice but
James always promised and put Sajjad's request behind the shelf. He never helped Sajjad in his studies
except lending books. He always made him fool by just promising to guide him in Law practice
someday.

Elizabeth Burton disliked James and Sajjad's gathering. She always told her husband that Sajjad is our
servant and let him do his job. His gathering does not suit to your status.
Elizabeth says ‚“and in any case you and Sajjad do nothing but play chess all day; let the boy work for
his salary again.” (Shamsie, p. 20)

Hiroko was also in Tokyo when she was taken for Emergency treatment. After he had recovered, she
worked as a translator for over a year. She was Japanese girl, different in look for Americans. Moreover,
Japanese were considered their worst enemy. Her friend to save Hiroko from Americans attack, took her
to parlor, where she got her hair done and war American dress. She changed her appearance just to hide
her identity that’s why her friend was a nurse and she changed her look so that nobody could harm her.
This event skillfully discussed by Shamsie Indian novel when
Hiroko says ‚“I worked as a translator for over a year. Made friend with one American nurse in
particular, who took me to take my hair cut short like hers, and let me borrow her clothes when we went
to night clubs to gather.” (Shamsie, p. 64)

Sajjad was sincere servant of buttons but feelings of otherness was better for him. Sajjad belonged to
poor family, can’t buy new clothes. It took them from James to be on duty but this was unbearable for
Elizabeth.
She says ‚I wish you would not give him your clothes Elizabeth said without turning towards James.
He’s started looking at everything you wear as if it’s his property; did you see how upset he was
yesterday when you split ink on your shirt.” (Shamsie, p. 34-35)
It is the countries who call themselves super power are responsible for the cultural distortion of the
world. (Sarwat, p. 472)

Sajjad was appointed as a servant at Burton’s home. He was conditioned to be on duty in English dress.
Sajjad was a poor man, he could not arrange requirement at once. On his request Burton gave some old
dresses, which hurt his wife. This shows Burton’s behavior that how much British were indifferent to
Indians.

Nativism:
Nativism is a method of expressing Lost or old culture. Which suggests that people still have affection

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for old traditions and customs. Post-colonial people trying to be nativists betray colonizers. Nativists
think they are more Nativists think that they are civilized and colonizers can’t crush their culture beneath
their feet. To castaway all the western styles and traditions and to adopt native styles is called
nationalism or nativism.

Lois Tyson. She says: ‚many ex-colonial therefore feel they must assert a native culture both to avoid
being swamped by western culture so firmly planted on their soil and to recuperate their national image
in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. This emphasis on indigenous culture especially when
accompanied by the attempt to eliminate western influences is called Nativism on nationalism.” (Tyson,
p. 423)

After, Sajjad, when he decided that he will marry Hiroko he decided that he will no longer be a servant
to James. The day he met with Hiroko he started to think that his days of deliverance has started. He
started to feel free. He took off his English shoes and cloths and started to wear Kurta Pajama. This
shows the role of Nativism as he chose to adopt his native style over the western style. To prove my
argument here is a quote from Novel “James turned. Walking through the moist towards him was Sajjad,
dressed as had been the first time James saw him, and never since in white muslin kurta pajama. A large
umbrella was touched under his arm, leaving a wet imprint down one side of his body. My dear fellow
James stepped forward, extending his hand. Sajjad looking at it in confusion, and James laughed and
clasped the other man’s shoulder. Didn’t bring a chessboard with you I suppose; Sajjad pulled away I’m
not here to return to my duties.” (Shamsie, p. 110-111)

Sajjad is determined to live in Dilli and drive out English from his homeland. Sajjad says ‚I will die in
Dilli. Before that, I will live in Dilli. Whether it’s in British, Hindustan, Pakistan that makes no
difference. In Sajjad’s eyes, his colony is still saved from effects of the British culture. He says to James
Burton that the next century India will be free from British Raj. And all lost culture of Dilli will revive
soon. Sajjad says “not believe me over the next century Dilli will continue to be what it’s been doing for
the last two centuries‛ (Shamsie, p. 40)

Sajjad’s mother hates and detests the English. She believes that the British people when came here
Introduced their culture and made them deprived of their native culture. Sajjad is curious about Buttons
criticizing her mother English pronunciation saying word modern as “Maa- dren”.
Sajjad says ‚throughout India’s history conquerors have come from elsewhere, and all of them-Turk,
Arab, Hun, Mongol, Persian- have become Indians. If- when- this Pakistan happens, those Muslims who
leave Delhi and Lucknow and Hyderabad to go there, they will be leaving their home. But when the
English leave, they’ll be going home.” (Shamsie, p. 82).

Diaspora or unhomliness
In Post-Colonial Theory, people separated from their original homeland come in the category of
Diaspora or unhomliness. During colonization, native people were used for different purposes. They
were taken for work far away from their residential areas. They were enslaved there and behaved like
animals. Workers did hard work since dawn to dusk. Sometimes months and years passed, but they
could not see the faces of their family members. They were provided low quality food and at night, they
were chained and locked. To separate someone from his native place where he was born and grew up is
called Diaspora or unhomeliness. Feeling of Unhomliness is different from the feeling of homelessness.
Unhomed people represent the people who are away from their native place. Whether they are settled or

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unsettled in their new place but recollections of their birth place recall the days which are unforgettable.
When they remember the days of separation, their sorrows renew and their rage reaches its peak of
taking revenge from the people who caused separation of India.

“…“being unhomed” is not like the same as being homeless. To be unhommed is to feel not home even
in your own home because you are not at home in yourself, your culture identity critics has made you’re
a psychological refugee, so to speak.” (Tyson, p 421)

Sajjad never ever wanted to leave Dilli. He used to say that Dilli was his Dill (heart). Hindus and
Muslims had lived together for nine hundred years. India had been attacked by different conquerors, but
the concept of separation never came forward. British came to India and governed by applying the
theory of divide and rule. They germinated seeds of hatred and detestation in the hearts of Muslims and
Hindus which generated racial tense, schism, communal frenzy, enmity, killings, and then separation
after a cold-blooded massacre of innocent citizens. Sajjad had to say farewell to his homeland, where he
grew up, spent his childhood, and enjoyed his young hood which he could never forget. Though he is
settled in Karachi but his recollection of Delhi’s life always give rise to his painful memories. Those
memorable days begin again his pang and sorrows of separation from Delhi.

“…he would not ever have believed that he would come to think of Karachi is home and that his bitter
regard about his separation form Dilli would be the absence of safety nets that the joints family system
had once provided.” (Shamsie, p. 134)
Conclusion:

The aim of this paper was to discuss the novel Burnt Shadows in the light of Postcolonial theory. So, the
article reveals that India had been governed by many rulers in past like Turk, Arab,

Hun, Mongol and Persian but British occupied it differently. They came here for trade but greed
compelled them to become owner of all natural resources, and the only solution for them was to occupy
it. They, slowly and gradually, took power in their hands and made Indians their slaves. English
considered Indians savage and backward. Previous all rulers were sincere and friendly to the natives.
They made India their home. When they left, they were disconsolate.

Britishers’ injustice compelled Indians to take action against them. This is all shown in character of
Sajjad. Sajjad and James Burton’s relation is technically mentioned. Sajjad is puppet in the hands of
James. Sajjad represents India and James to English. Sajjad as Hybrid tied between eastern and western
cultures. Hiroko’s arrival in Sajjad’s life gives him sense of freedom. Her love enables him to prove
himself nativist.

References:
Bhabha, K. Homi. (1994). the Location of Culture. London and New York: Routledge. Habib, M. A. R.
(2000). Modern literary criticism and theory. Australia. Blackwell Publisher. Shamsie, K. (2009). Burnt
Shadows. New York: Picador.
Raman, W. Peter, B. P. (2005). A Reader’s Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. Great Britain:
Pearson Education Limited.
Lois, T. (2006). Critical theory today a user friendly guide, United State of America. Routledge Taylor
and Francis Group 2006.

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