Flipped Learning Activity: Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh
Hello.
This blog is the part of Fliiped learning activity of the unit Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh. This activity is designed to us explore Amitav Ghosh's novel Gun Island by leveraging video lessons, thematic analysis, and reflective writing. By immersing ourselves in video lectures prepared by Prof. Dilip Barad and completing structured tasks, students will develop critical insights into the novel's intricate narrative, rich characters, and profound themes, such as climate change, migration, and the interplay between myth and history.
Teacher's Blog : One can visit the blog for the background of the activity.
Worksheets for Flipped Classroom Activities
3. Characters in one column and their profession in another.
Character | Profession |
---|---|
Dinanath Dutta | Rare Book Dealer |
Piya Roy | Marine Biologist |
Cinta Schiavon | Scholar of Venetian History |
Nakhuda Ilyas | Sea Captain |
Bonduki Sadagar (Gun Merchant) | Merchant |
Manasa Devi | Hindu Goddess of Snakes (Mythological) |
Cinta Schiavon | Believer in mystical happenings & presence of the soul of dead people |
---|---|
Piya Roy | Rationalizes all uncanny happenings |
Dinanath Dutta (Deen) | Skeptic who is in-between but slightly towards center-right |
The central theme of Amitav Ghosh's novel "Gun Island" is the impact of climate change on human lives and societies.
Ghosh explores this theme through:
- The displacement of communities: Rising sea levels and extreme weather events force people to leave their homes, leading to mass migrations and social upheaval.
- The interconnectedness of environmental and social issues: The novel highlights how climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and social injustices.
- The need for new narratives and perspectives: Ghosh challenges traditional ways of thinking about climate change, urging us to embrace new stories and mythologies that can help us understand and address this global crisis.
Climate change in the novel | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Word | No of time word appears |
1 | Flood | 20 |
2 | Cyclone | 16 |
3 | Strom | 1 |
4 | Calamities | 2 |
5 | Drought | 9 |
6 | Wild Fire | 17 |
7 | Whether | 35 |
8 | Tsunami | 3 |
9 | Apocalypse | 4 |
10 | Volcano | 3 |
11 | Temperature | 2 |
12 | Reforestation | 1 |
13 | Famine | 4 |
14 | Tufaan | 1 |
15 | Earthquake | 2 |
16 | Plague | 11 |
17 | Smoke | 23 |
18 | Air Quality | 1 |
19 | Tornado | 10 |
20 | Global Warming | 1 |
21 | Green House | 1 |
22 | Hailston | 6 |
Initially, Deen viewed the legend as a fantastical tale, a "wonder tale" with no basis in reality. However, Cinta's scholarly insights, particularly her connection of "Bonduki Sadagar" to Venice and the historical context of the 17th century, begin to transform the legend from a mere myth into a potential reflection of historical events.
The excerpt highlights how historical events like the Ottoman Empire's decline, the Inquisition, and the rise of the slave trade could have shaped the legend's fantastical elements. The "Land of Palm Sugar Candy" (Egypt) and the "Land of Kerchieves" (Rumelia) are no longer just fantastical locations, but potential destinations on a real-world trading route.
- The title "Gun Island" is a direct reference to the legend of the Gun Merchant.
- The legend, as revealed through Deen's research, is not just a fantastical tale, but a distorted memory of historical events.
- "Bonduki Sadagar," originally thought to mean "Gun Merchant," is likely a corrupted form of "Merchant who went to Venice" (Bunduqeyya being the Arabic word for Venice).
- This connection links the legend to the historical reality of Venetian trade and the spread of gunpowder technology.
- The "Gun Island" of the legend, while seemingly fantastical, may symbolize the far-reaching consequences of these historical and technological developments.
Essentially, the title "Gun Island" acts as a metaphor. It represents not just a physical island, but a metaphorical island of history, memory, and the interconnectedness of cultures and events across continents. The legend of the Gun Merchant, with its distorted memories and fantastical elements, reflects how history itself can become distorted and mythologized over time.
By exploring the etymology of the name "Bonduki Sadagar" and connecting it to historical events like the Great Fire of Istanbul, the novel reveals how seemingly fantastical legends can contain kernels of historical truth.
3.Match the characters with the reasons for migration
Character | Reason for Migration |
---|---|
Dinanath | Some uncanny sort of restlessness |
Palash | To better socio-economic condition |
Kabir and Bilal | Violence and riots – family fueds & communal reasons |
Tipu and Rafi | Poverty |
Lubna Khala and Munir | Natural calamities |
Theorist | Theoretical Approach |
---|---|
Bronislaw Malinowski | Functionalism |
Claude Levi-Strauss | Structuralism |
Sigmund Freud | Psychoanalysis |
Emile Durkheim & Jane Harrison | Myth and Ritual |
Towards a post(colonial)human culture: Revisiting Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island as a fall of Eurocentric humanism by Saikat Chakraborty
This sonnet attempts to capture the essence of the novel, touching upon key themes like:
In Sundarbans, where whispers of the past,
Of Gun Merchant and Manasa Devi's ire,
Arise with tides, a legend unsurpassed,
Of climate's wrath, and human's slow desire
To mend the wounds inflicted on the land.
Deen, the seeker, journeys to the shrine,
Where myths and memories intertwine,
And finds the truth, a truth he can't command.
The rising seas, a grim and constant threat,
Force migrations, shatter lives apart,
While history's ghosts, the past's regret,
Haunt every corner of the human heart.
Yet hope remains, in stories yet untold,
Of resilience, in spirits bold and old.
- The legend of the Gun Merchant: The core myth that drives the narrative.
- Climate change: The devastating impact of rising sea levels and environmental degradation.
- Displacement and migration: The human cost of climate change.
- The interplay of history, myth, and memory: How the past informs the present.
- Hope and resilience: The enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
Multiple Choice Questions on Amitav Ghosh’s novel Gun Island.
1. What is the significance of the "Gun Merchant" in the novel?
a) He is a historical figure who traded in guns during the colonial era.
b) He is a legendary figure whose name is linked to Venice and the spread of gunpowder.
c) He is a fictional character created by the narrator to represent the dangers of unchecked capitalism.
d) He is a symbol of the destructive power of technology.
Answer: b) He is a legendary figure whose name is linked to Venice and the spread of gunpowder.
2. Which of the following best describes the novel's exploration of climate change?
a) A scientific analysis of the causes and effects of climate change.
b) A dystopian vision of a future ravaged by climate change.
c) A nuanced portrayal of the human and social impacts of climate change.
d) A denial of the scientific consensus on climate change.
Answer: c) A nuanced portrayal of the human and social impacts of climate change.
3. What is the significance of the Sundarbans in the novel?
a) It is simply a backdrop for the story.
b) It symbolizes the fragility of the natural world and the impact of human activity.
c) It represents a lost paradise, untouched by human civilization.
d) It is a metaphor for the human unconscious.
Answer: b) It symbolizes the fragility of the natural world and the impact of human activity.
4. How does the novel portray the relationship between technology and human connection?
a) It celebrates the liberating potential of technology.
b) It condemns technology as a source of alienation and disconnection.
c) It offers a nuanced perspective, acknowledging both the benefits and drawbacks of technology.
d) It largely ignores the role of technology in contemporary society.
Answer: c) It offers a nuanced perspective, acknowledging both the benefits and drawbacks of technology.
5. Which of the following themes is NOT central to "Gun Island"?
a) The impact of colonialism.
b) The power of myths and legends.
c) The rise of artificial intelligence.
d) The interconnectedness of human and ecological systems.
Answer: c) The rise of artificial intelligence.
9. With the help of Google Translate, write Hindi & English translation of 5 Italian words from
the novel.
1. Realta= actually
2. tantissimi=so many
3. che peccato=what a pity
4. davvero=Really
5. sono sicura=I'm sure
Characters and Summary - 1 | Sundarbans | Gun Island
Basic plot line and the main charcaters Dinanath Datta, Kanai Dutt, Nilima Bose, PIyali Roy and the Gun Murchant has introduced. The story of the Baundugi Sadagar, Chand Sadgar and Mansa devi's shrine introduced.
Characters and Summary - 2 | Sundarbans | Gun Island
The second part is set in Venice and explores various subtopics such as "The Ghetto," "Strandings," "Dreams," "Warnings," and "High Water," delving into Venice’s culture, climate issues, and migration. Dinanath notices a spiritual connection between Venice and Varanasi, both being cities of mortality and decay. Dinanath encounters Bangladeshi migrants like Lubna Khala and Bilal, who face hardships, displacement due to floods, and exploitation in Venice.
Climate change and global warming emerge as key themes, impacting migration and biodiversity, with references to rising waters, floods, and invasive species such as shipworms and spiders. The novel highlights issues of exploitation in tourism and pharmaceutical industries, with human waste management problems in Venice. The narrative draws connections between historical slave trade and present-day labor exploitation, particularly in migrant communities. Dinanath and Piya discuss rationality versus myths, with Piya advocating scientific explanations for phenomena while Dinanath explores cultural beliefs.The narrative includes references to pop culture, such as the Netflix film Don't Look Up, drawing parallels to climate crisis denial and capitalist exploitation.
The discussion focuses on the theme of etymological mystery in Gun Island, along with other themes such as historification of myth, climate change, and migration, which will be discussed later. The novel explores how language shapes worldview, and how translation across generations and cultures can lead to the loss or transformation of meaning. The title Gun Island does not literally refer to firearms but instead symbolizes Venice, derived from the Venetian dialect, illustrating linguistic shifts over time.
The novel highlights how words like ghetto and saudagar acquire different meanings in different languages and contexts, affecting interpretation. The book uses linguistic symbols to explore historical layers, with words like booth (ghost) and gun merchant offering deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretations. The characters debate how modern technology, such as Google Translate, aids in understanding etymology but also distances people from traditional sources of knowledge.
Sir delves into whether the past still exists in the present through memory, reflecting on linguistic and cultural continuity. The concept of possession is examined through Christian influences, where it has been demonized compared to neutral or positive meanings in other cultures. The novel connects etymology with real-world concerns such as climate change, pollution, and technological impacts on human life. The idea of being possessed is discussed in relation to historical inquisition practices and how meanings of words evolve under different religious and cultural influences.
The session focuses on climate change themes in Amitav Ghosh's Gun Island. Ghosh has been consciously writing about climate change in his works, including The Great Derangement.Gun Island is seen as an answer to the questions raised in The Great Derangement, particularly about the role of the novel in addressing climate change.Literature has largely been silent on climate change, and Ghosh challenges this silence.
Ghosh uses myths, particularly the myth of Mansa Devi and the Gun Merchant, to discuss climate change. These myths help bridge the past, present, and future and provide symbolic insights into the present climate crisis. Ghosh includes both intellectual, rational characters (e.g., Piali Roy) and more mystical figures (e.g., Chinta from Venice) to appeal to both Western and Eastern audiences. He uses this mix to criticize stereotypical assumptions about Eastern and Western beliefs.The Great Derangement is divided into three parts: Story, History, and Politics. It examines how contemporary novels struggle to address climate change and the role of the uncanny in storytelling. The narrative includes the concept of the uncanny (magical realism) to address climate change, challenging conventional storytelling. Examples include characters who experience inexplicable events, like Chinta hearing the voice of her deceased daughter.
Ghosh discusses the impact of imperialism and capitalism on climate change. He explores how Western industrial practices, such as coal mining, exacerbate the crisis. Ghosh explores the role of religion in understanding and addressing climate change, especially the practices in pre-Abrahamic cultures that are closely tied to nature. Despite the challenges posed by climate change, Ghosh's work offers a hopeful message, advocating for collective efforts to address the crisis, drawing inspiration from religious and cultural practices that respect nature.
The novel Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh explores contemporary issues of migration, human trafficking, and the refugee crisis, reflecting how societies prioritize national identity over humanitarian values. While individuals may claim to value humanity, societal structures often prioritize self-interest, economic benefits, and national identity over inclusivity and compassion. Characters like Rafi, Bilal, and Kabir exemplify humanitarian values by helping others, contrasting with the selfishness observed at a societal level regarding migration policies and job opportunities.
The novel illustrates how factors such as political strife, religious persecution (e.g., Rohingya crisis), and climate disasters force people to migrate under harsh conditions. The symbolic significance of Sundarbans and Venice, both threatened by climate change, highlights the struggles of displaced people who lack the skills to adapt to new environments. Migrants struggle with employment due to inadequate academic qualifications and life skills, facing societal rejection and economic hardships.The novel portrays illegal migration facilitated by mafia networks, often operating with the implicit knowledge of authorities. The story of Palash, who migrates despite his affluent background, highlights aspirations driven by socio-economic conditions and the allure of the West. Through fictional narration, the novel presents real-life migration challenges and forces readers to confront their own biases and perspectives on inclusivity and global crises.
Part I - Historification of Myth & Mythification of History
The video is a continuation of a previous discussion on the mythification of history and the historification of myth. It discusses functionalism and four approaches to studying myth, but due to audio issues, not all parts are covered. Ghosh intertwines a well-known Bengali folklore, Chand Sadagar, into a contemporary historical narrative, blending myth with real-world issues like climate change and migration.The novel uses three levels: myth, created history, and contemporary events. The tools discussed are derived from Peter Struck’s Greek mythology class (University of Pennsylvania) and other prominent theorists.
Myth and Ritual :
- The first tool is myth and ritual, focusing on how myths and rituals work together to create social cohesion.
- The discussion draws from Jane Harrison's work on rituals in ancient Greek society.
- Myths often emerge to explain the ritualistic behaviors of society and the underlying beliefs that fuel these practices.
- Functionalism is another tool, with a focus on collective effervescence (Durkheim’s concept) to explain how rituals gain energy and meaning through collective participation
- An example is given: the communal excitement of watching a cricket match.
- When people engage in rituals, they may not understand why they do it, and myths emerge to explain these practices.
The myth of Mansa Devi is used to explore themes of nature and calamities, both natural and human-made. The novel emphasizes migration due to natural disasters, but also highlights human efforts to create mythical explanations for these calamities. The characters in the novel, particularly Dinanaath, face hardships but also encounter symbolic representations of nature’s power and the necessity of spiritual balance.
The mythic retelling in the novel challenges older beliefs and encourages a more secular interpretation of natural phenomena. The redefinition of myths in contemporary terms is crucial for addressing modern environmental issues. The idea is to reinterpret the myth of Mansa Devi, moving away from the supernatural to understand human-nature relations.
Myths have historically helped build community and culture, and today’s myths should also serve as cultural tools to address modern challenges. The process of Sanskritization is discussed, where religious practices evolve and expand, often altering the original purpose.
The modern understanding of myth seeks to engage with contemporary social issues rather than merely preserve historical or religious narratives.
In "Part III - Historification of Myth and Mythification of History" from Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh, the discussion revolves around the complexities of cultural narratives, particularly how Eastern and Western perspectives are often shaped by colonialism. The conversation starts with Edward Said's concept of Orientalism, where Western societies have historically seen the East as inferior and have reinterpreted their cultures, religions, and people. In the novel, characters like Dinanath, Kanai, and Nilima reflect these tensions.
Dinanath, who has lived in the West, feels superior but is mocked by Kanai, who challenges his identity and self-importance. The novel also explores how characters like Kanai and Nilima defy traditional boundaries, showing that Eastern and Western identities cannot be easily classified. This blending of cultures and perspectives is crucial when addressing modern issues like climate change, where the novel suggests that both Eastern intuition and Western scientific approaches are necessary. The narrative challenges stereotypes about the East and West, pushing for a more integrated and understanding view of the world.
Additionally, Ghosh emphasizes how myths, especially in Eastern cultures, hold valuable lessons and can be reinterpreted to address current global challenges. This connection between history, myth, and contemporary issues allows for a deeper understanding of human behavior, societal roles, and the ongoing struggles that shape our world.
Thank You.
Work Cited :
Barad, Dilip. “Flipped Learning Activity Instructions: Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh.” ResearchGate, Jan. 2025, www.researchgate.net/publication/388143893_Flipped_Learning_Activity_Instructions_Gun_Island_by_Amitav_Ghosh.
Baraiya, Latta. “Gun Island Group Presentation.” SlideShare, 17 Jan. 2022, www.slideshare.net/slideshow/gun-island-group-presentation/251006318.
Clark, Alex. “Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh Review – Climate and Culture in Crisis.” The Guardian, 5 June 2019, www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/05/gun-island-amitav-ghosh-review.
DoE-MKBU. “Characters and Summary - 1 | Sundarbans | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 17 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn70pnUIK1Y.
---. “Characters and Summary - 2 | USA | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 17 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiYLTn7cWm8.
---. “Climate Change | the Great Derangement | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 21 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_3tD4voebA.
---. “Etymological Mystery | Title of the Novel | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 19 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yg5RmjBlTk.
---. “Migration | Human Trafficking | Refugee Crisis | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 21 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLeskjjZRzI.
---. “Part I - Historification of Myth and Mythification of History | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 21 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBLsFEKLGd0.
---. “Part II | Historification of Myth and Mythification of History | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 23 Jan. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP2HerbJ5-g.
---. “Part III - Historification of Myth and Mythification of History | Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 23 Jan. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVLqxT_mUCg.
---. “Summary - 3 | Venice | Part 2 of Gun Island | Amitav Ghosh.” YouTube, 18 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F3n_rrRG9M.
Ghosh, Amitav. Gun Island: A Novel. 2019.
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