SALJ - Introduction

The novel, "Such a Long Journey", by Rohinton Ministry seems like an interesting novel based on all the critical acclaims about it, but I can already guess why it's so celebrated by English teachers and students alike. The title itself symbolizes and even foreshadows a moral or even physical conflict or adventure on this path we call life, and because novels are centered around the human condition, it's possible that this book will and most certainly reach out to the hearts of its readers.

First of all, the novel takes place in Bombay, India in 1971; an era where political tension and conflicts are taking place on the international stage. It's obvious that these tensions will affect the protagonist, Gustad Noble, and his family in some sort of manner. The first two chapters of the novel are an introduction to his family and simple life. We are introduced to Dilnavaz, his wife, and their three children, Darius, Roshan and the eldest, Sohrab, who has recently been accepted into the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. The loving family lives in the Khodadad building with Miss Kutpitia as the mean landlord. In this building, the reader becomes aware of how the water supply only runs from five to seven am, how rodents are a problem in the building, and how there is always a risk of being in danger due to the political tension between China and India. Already, there is an element of danger and a factor of poverty introduced to the reader. Milk is a staple product in the Indian culture, and praying every morning at every set interval is a must.

The general market is named Crawford Market, and it makes Gustad very intimidated when he travels to this place because there are butchers who know how to use their knives. Malcolm Sadanha, a Christian, is his close friend, and there's this tension between Gustad and his former neighbour Major Bilimoria who just walked out and left one day. Another interesting thing about this chapter so far is that there's an awareness of mental illness. Tehmul, this guy who used to be intelligent was in an accident one day, and now speaks in an incoherent manner to many people, with the exception of Gustad who can actually understand him.

There is an overwhelming amount of characters that the reader will have to soon distinguish between as either static or dynamic and of course this relates to character development and possible themes of the human condition as a result. What ikrs me about this novel so far is a minor detail. Have you guys noticed how some of the names are so anglicized? Is this a literary element done on purpose I have no idea, but names such as Gustad, Malcolm, and Darius seem so unconventional and to me only proves that the author may have wanted to reveal a westernized influence on India, as India had been previously colonized by the British.

Other than that, nothing big has happened yet so far.
Till next time,
Alexander Truong