CLASH OF WORLDS IN SALMAN RUSHDIE–S SHALIMAR THE CLOWN

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to present special relationships between the heroes of Salman Rushdie–s novel Shalimar the Clown. To this purpose, the personality theory by Carl Gustav Jung has been used. Those heroes are not only citizens of The New World or of The Old World. The personality theory proves that they are influenced and connected by the collective unconscious and different archetypes, and that they are rootless on the foreign ground. Historical and mythological aspects of the novel are intertwined, which implies that the heroes– minds are crucial. The American ambassador in India and the beautiful young Kashmiri girl represent symbols of The West and The East. Their child, born in sin, was named India. Her heritage did not include only her physical characteristics, but also the burden of the inherited sin. Shalimar the clown is her Shadow (Jung–s terminology). She should find herself in that conflict of the West and East, but first she must release herself from the Shadow. According to Jung, if someone wants to start individuation, they will have to enter their conscience and defeat the dark side of their personality. India achieves that and ritually changes her name into Kashmira. Salman Rushdie sharply criticises American, Indian and Pakistani politics. Descriptions of the war and death are contrasted with Kashmir – Paradise on the Earth. The breaking points are: the night of Shalimar–s birth and Boonyi–s departure to Delhi. Everything changed after that.