This paper examines Amitav Ghosh's 'The Shadow Lines' as a paradigmatic postmodern and postcolonial text that deconstructs traditional narratives of history, identity, and belonging. Through its exploration of multilingualism and multiculturalism, the novel critiques the artificiality of national and cultural boundaries, emphasizing shared histories and the fluidity of identities. Employing postmodern techniques such as fragmentation, polyphony, and metafiction, Ghosh challenges grand narratives and highlights the subjectivity of memory and truth. The novel uses English infused with Bengali idioms and cultural references to reclaim language as a tool of postcolonial expression, addressing the silences and gaps inherent in linguistic representation. By portraying the Partition as a tragic fracture rather than a nationalist triumph, Ghosh critiques imposed divisions and underscores the interconnectedness of past and present. Ultimately, The Shadow Lines serves as a seminal work in postmodern literature, offering a profound commentary on identity, language, and the constructed nature of boundaries in a globalized world.
Research Scholar, Department of English, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya
