Hello everyone, I'm writing this blog as an assignment given by Dr. Dilip Barad, from the Department of English at MKBU. In this task we have Deconstruct a poem or an ad or TV serial or film or any literary text. From this I have chosen a Meena Kandasamy's poem 'Mohandas Karamchand'.
∆ Introduction :
'Deconstruction' is a literary and philosophical theory that originated in the 20th century, primarily associated with the work of French philosopher Jacques Derrida. It challenges traditional assumptions about language, meaning, and truth. Deconstruction aims to reveal the inherent contradictions and complexities in texts, undermining their assumed stability and fixed interpretations. It focuses on examining how language shapes our understanding of reality and how multiple interpretations can emerge from a single text. Deconstruction seeks to demonstrate that no text or concept has a definitive, fixed meaning, and meaning is constantly in flux, influenced by cultural and historical contexts.
∆ What do you understand about 'Deconstruction' ?
My understanding of 'Deconstruction' is a philosophical and literary theory that questions the fixed meanings and assumptions in texts and language. It aims to reveal the fluidity and complexities of meaning, emphasizing the idea that no text has a singular, absolute interpretation. Instead, meaning is shaped by cultural and historical contexts and subject to multiple possible understandings. Deconstruction encourages critical analysis and challenges conventional notions of truth and stability in language and literature.
Deconstruction is a complex and influential philosophical concept that emerged primarily through the work of French philosopher Jacques Derrida. It fundamentally challenges conventional notions of language, meaning, and reality. Deconstruction seeks to dismantle binary oppositions and hierarchical structures that shape our understanding of concepts. It aims to reveal the inherent contradictions, ambiguities, and complexities within texts, ideas, and systems of thought.
Deconstruction questions the assumption of stable and fixed meanings, asserting that language is inherently slippery and that meaning is contextually dependent. It highlights how words and concepts gain significance through their relationship with other words and concepts, rather than possessing inherent meaning.
By analyzing the nuances of language and exposing its limitations, deconstruction unveils the fragility of established meanings and encourages multiple interpretations. It demonstrates how texts can be read in ways that challenge traditional interpretations, opening up new possibilities for understanding.
Deconstruction is a philosophical method that encourages a critical examination of how we construct meaning and knowledge. It emphasizes the continual process of interpretation and re-interpretation, undermining the idea of singular, definitive truths and fostering a more nuanced and inclusive approach to understanding the world around us.
∆ Deconstruction analysis of the poem "Mohandas Karamchand" by Meena Kandasamy with reference to Derrida's ideas:
The poem opens with a repeated question 'Who? Who? Who?' which emphasizes the instability of meaning and introduces a sense of uncertainty. This echoes Derrida's concept of 'differance,' where language defers and destabilizes meaning. The poem challenges binary oppositions like 'Mahatma. Sorry no.' and 'Truth. Non-violence,' suggesting a refusal to accept these traditional notions without questioning or critique.
The poet uses wordplay and puns to disrupt conventional associations with Mahatma Gandhi. 'Truth' and 'Non-violence' are positioned as taboo or outdated, challenging the authority and sanctity usually attributed to these concepts. The lines 'Your tax-free salt stimulated our wounds / We gonna sue you, the Congress shoe' subvert Gandhi's symbolic role in the salt march and his association with the Indian National Congress.
The poem references phrases like 'Ram Ram Hey Ram,' which evoke Gandhi's assassination, but here they are used in a critical and mocking context. This recontextualization challenges the idealized portrayal of Gandhi and his legacy. The lines 'Remember, how you dealt with your poor wife. / But, they wrote your books, they made your life' highlight Gandhi's complex personal life and question the authority of those who shaped his public image.
The poem addresses Gandhi's role in perpetuating the caste system (Caste won’t go, they wouldn’t let it go) and accuses him of hypocrisy and impurity. These accusations deconstruct Gandhi's identity as a saintly figure and challenge his claims of being a moral leader.
The poem employs colloquial and informal language ('Gone half-cuckoo,' 'big fraud'), juxtaposing it with the reverence often associated with Gandhi. This juxtaposition reflects Derrida's idea of subverting hierarchical language and challenging traditional modes of expression.
In conclusion, Meena Kandasamy's poem 'Mohandas Karamchand' deconstructs the conventional image of Mahatma Gandhi by destabilizing his authority, critiquing his actions, and challenging the fixed meanings associated with his persona. It engages with Derrida's concepts of textual instability, binary oppositions, play of signifiers, and deconstruction of authority to offer a critical reevaluation of Gandhi's legacy and impact.
• Word Count : 767
• Images : 2
