Structure of midnight's children ignou assignment
Answers
Since "Midnight's Children" tells the story of the growing up of its protagonist and narrator Saleem, it is a common tendency to regard it as a Bildungsroman novel. But a closer analysis will show that Rushdie, by using the form and structure of the Bildungsroman novel, undermines it simultaneously so much so, that critics have not been shy in calling this novel a parody if the Bildungsroman.
The term, in German, signifies a novel of formation. "The subject of these novels is the development of the protagonist's mind and character, in this passage from childhood through varied experiences- and often through a spiritual crisis- into maturity, which usually involved recognition of one's identity and role in the world".
Keeping this definition in mind, it is clear why this novel would not be regarded as a Bildungsroman- fir Saleem, telling us what he wants to know and concealing the rest, may not be said to understand the enormity of his role and we have serious reservations about his spiritual and emotional development at the end.