Come September -Arunthathi Roy | Study notes English Literature

COME SEPTEMBER

-Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is an Indian writer, actress, and activist. She won the Booker Prize

in 1997 for her first novel, *The God of Small Things*, which sold over six

million copies and was translated into many languages. The book sparked

controversy in India for its portrayal of a relationship between a Syrian Christian

and a Hindu "untouchable."

Roy has also written non-fiction, including *The Cost of Living* (1999),

criticizing the Indian government's handling of the Narmada dam project and

nuclear testing. Her 2009 book, *Listening to Grasshoppers*, discusses the

problems with democracy in India. She won the Lannan Prize for Cultural

Freedom in 2003 and the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004 for her human rights work.

Come September is a well-known lecture by Arundhati Roy, given on September

18, 2002, at the Lensic Performing Arts Centre in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

COME SEPTEMBER-Explanatory Notes

Arundhati Roy delivered a famous lecture on September 18, 2002, at the Lensic

Performing Arts Centre in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She began by explaining that

she would be reading her speech for two reasons: first, because she is a writer and

feels more comfortable expressing her thoughts through writing, and second,

because the issue she would address is complex and needs careful language.

Roy started by saying that writers don't invent stories; instead, stories choose the

writer and insist on being told. Stories can be both fiction and non-fiction, and

Roy admits that while fiction comes naturally to her, non-fiction is something she

has to work harder to produce. A recurring theme in her work is the relationship

between power and powerlessness. Although her works may appear to be about

history or nations, they are really about power and how ruthless it can be.

Roy criticizes how the governments of India and Pakistan brainwash citizens by

promising war, and she describes nationalism as dangerous. She argues that flags

are like "shrink wraps" that cover people's minds in the name of nationalism. She

warns that when even artists and writers begin to serve nationalistic purposes, it

becomes a serious problem. This kind of propaganda, according to Roy, was

evident in events like India’s nuclear tests in 1998 and the US involvement in the

Gulf War.

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COME SEPTEMBER

-Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is an Indian writer, actress, and activist. She won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her first novel, The God of Small Things, which sold over six million copies and was translated into many languages. The book sparked controversy in India for its portrayal of a relationship between a Syrian Christian and a Hindu "untouchable." Roy has also written non-fiction, including The Cost of Living (1999), criticizing the Indian government's handling of the Narmada dam project and nuclear testing. Her 2009 book, Listening to Grasshoppers, discusses the problems with democracy in India. She won the Lannan Prize for Cultural Freedom in 2003 and the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004 for her human rights work. Come September is a well-known lecture by Arundhati Roy, given on September 18, 2002, at the Lensic Performing Arts Centre in Santa Fe, New Mexico. COME SEPTEMBER-Explanatory Notes Arundhati Roy delivered a famous lecture on September 18, 2002, at the Lensic Performing Arts Centre in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She began by explaining that she would be reading her speech for two reasons: first, because she is a writer and feels more comfortable expressing her thoughts through writing, and second, because the issue she would address is complex and needs careful language. Roy started by saying that writers don't invent stories; instead, stories choose the writer and insist on being told. Stories can be both fiction and non-fiction, and Roy admits that while fiction comes naturally to her, non-fiction is something she has to work harder to produce. A recurring theme in her work is the relationship between power and powerlessness. Although her works may appear to be about history or nations, they are really about power and how ruthless it can be. Roy criticizes how the governments of India and Pakistan brainwash citizens by promising war, and she describes nationalism as dangerous. She argues that flags are like "shrink wraps" that cover people's minds in the name of nationalism. She warns that when even artists and writers begin to serve nationalistic purposes, it becomes a serious problem. This kind of propaganda, according to Roy, was evident in events like India’s nuclear tests in 1998 and the US involvement in the Gulf War.

Roy mentions that she was labelled "anti-American" for criticizing the US government, and she points out that this label is used to discredit critics. She explains that many Americans disagree with their government's policies, and some of the most insightful critiques of the US come from Americans themselves, such as Noam Chomsky and Edward Said. Roy compares the situation in the US to that of India, where those who criticize the Indian government are called "anti-Indian." She questions who has the right to define what "India" or "America" should be, criticizing the idea that anyone who doesn’t support the government must be an enemy. Roy criticizes the US War on Terror, especially the invasion of Afghanistan. She says the war started under the guise of capturing Osama bin Laden but quickly became about liberating Afghan women, which she sees as hypocritical. If the US was truly interested in women’s rights, why not intervene in countries like Saudi Arabia or others where women are also oppressed? She questions the effectiveness of bombing to solve social issues, sarcastically asking if it can create a “feminist paradise.” Roy acknowledges the deep pain and grief caused by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. She emphasizes that war won’t bring back those lost or ease the grief. Instead, it tarnishes their memory and devalues the sorrow. Roy recalls other tragedies on September 11th, such as the US-backed coup in Chile in 1973, where many were tortured and killed. She highlights the insensitivity of the US government toward these historical events. Roy connects the tragedies of the Middle East, like Palestine and Kashmir, to British imperialism. She notes how Israeli leaders and others have dehumanized Palestinians and laments the ongoing colonialism in Palestine, which the US supports. Roy criticizes the Iraq war, pointing out that the US had once supported Saddam Hussein but later turned against him. She accuses the US of using false pretences to wage war, such as claiming Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Roy notes that the US has the largest stockpile of weapons and has been at war for much of the last 50 years, even though it claims to be peaceful. Roy argues that US foreign policy is driven by oil and the desire to control global markets. She explains that corporate globalization, backed by organizations like the IMF and World Bank, is making the rich richer and the poor poorer, especially in countries like India. This leads to civil unrest, crime, and the rise of dangerous ideologies like religious intolerance and fascism.

Come September -Arunthathi Roy, Study notes of English Literature

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Download Come September -Arunthathi Roy and more Study notes English Literature in PDF only on Docsity!

COME SEPTEMBER

-Arundhati Roy