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Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 6: Amitav Ghosh: Shadow Lines:Characterisation

Unit 6: Amitav Ghosh: Shadow Lines: Characterisation Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
6.1 Characterisation
6.2 Summary
6.3 Key-Words

6.4 Review Questions
6.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Know various characters in Shadow Lines.
• Discuss the role of Tridib and Grandmother.
Introduction

The characters or the dramatis personae are the ones to whom things happen and they suffer and
carry out the action of the novel. A novel’s success to a great extent depends upon the vivid and
graphic characterization. The characters should appear to be lively and move us as people in real
life do. We should sympathize with them as we do with people in real life and their remembrance
should linger in our memory when the book is laid aside and its details perhaps forgotten.
Commonly, there are two ways to portray the characters—one is direct or analytical and the
second is indirect. In the first case, the novelist sketches his characters from the outside, dissects
their passions, motives, thoughts and feelings, explains and comments on their acts. In the second
case he stays out and his characters reveal themselves through their speech and action. The
remarks, observations and judgments of other characters often make an enhancement in our
understanding of them.
The plot and characterization are always united in a novel. In some novels the interest of particular
character(s) is uppermost and action is used mainly with reference to this and in the other one the
plot is uppermost and characters are used mainly to carry out the action. When the plot and
characterizations are brought out together harmoniously and logically it proves to be a success. In
the novel(s) where the interest of the plot is uppermost, the personality of the actors often suffers
and they are not given either the due weightage or importance. The plot has little or no reference
to them and their case may be like that of puppets being pulled at will by the showman.

6.1 Characterisation

6.1.1 Tha’mma
Born in Jindabahar in Dhaka in a joint family, she grew up when the Indian National Movement
was gaining a militant note and fight against the British was jointly being spearheaded by Mahatma
Gandhi and the militant nationalists together. Tha’mma was quick tempered with a deep sense of
freedom. She is proud, stubborn and strong-willed. She along with Ila is an itinerant character.

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