Shame (Rushdie novel)


Shame is Salman Rushdie's third novel, published in 1983. This book was written out of a desire to approach the problem of "artificial" country divisions, their residents' complicity, and the problems of post-colonialism—- such as when Pakistan was created to separate the Muslims from the Hindus after England gave up control of India.
The book is written in the style of magic realism. It portrays the lives of Iskander Harappa, and
General Raza Hyder, and their relationship. The central theme of the novel is that begetting "shame" begets violence. The concepts of 'shame' and 'shamelessness' are explored through all of the characters, with the main focus being on Sufiya Zinobia and Omar Khayyám.

Characters

Shakil family

This story takes place in a town called "Q" which is actually a fictitious version of Quetta, Pakistan. In Q, one of the three sisters gives birth to Omar Khayyám Shakil, but they act as a unit of mothers, never revealing to anyone who is Omar's birth mother. In addition, Omar never learns who his father is. While growing up, Omar lives in purdah with his three mothers and yearns to join the world. As a birthday present, Omar Khayyám Shakil's "mothers" allow him to leave Q. He enrolls in a school and is convinced by his tutor to become a doctor. Over time, he comes in contact with both Iskander Harappa and General Raza Hyder.

Awards