'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh

1. Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Date: 1st April 2024
Sem 4। Batch 2022-24
Contemporary English Literature
Presentation on
Amitav Ghosh’s ‘Gun Island' as a Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi)
Presented by Gopi Dervaliya

2. Amitav Ghosh’s
‘Gun Island’
as a Climate Fiction

3. Personal Information
● Name : Gopi Dervaliya
● Roll No. : 08
● Sem : 04
● Paper Name : Contemporary Literature in English
● Paper No. : 207
● Paper Code : 22414
● Submitted to : Department Of English, M.K.B.U
● Email Id : gopidervaliya02@gmail.com

4. About the
Author
01
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About the
Novel
02
What is Cli-Fi ?
03
Climate Change
in ‘Gun Island’
04
Conclusion
05

5. About the Author : Amitav Ghosh
● Amitav Ghosh is one of the india’s best known writer in
twenty first century. He was born in Calcutta in 1956.
● His books include the ‘Circle of Reason’, ‘The Shadow
Lines’, ‘In an Antique Land’, ‘Dancing in Cambodia’,
‘The Calcutta Chromosome’, ‘The Glass Palace’,
‘Incendiary Circumstances’, and ‘The Hungry Tide’.
● His most famous novel is the ‘Sea of Poppies’ which is the
first volume of his trilogy.
● He earned his doctorate at Oxford before he wrote his first
novel, which was published in 1986.
● His novel ‘The Shadow Lines’ won the Sahitya Akademi
Award.

6. ● Amitav Ghosh has written for many publications
including The Hindu, The New Yorker and The
Granta.
● He has served on the juries of several international
film festivals, including Locarno and Venice. He
has taught many universities in India and in the
USA.
● He won an international e-book Award at The
Frankfurt book fair in 2001.
● His essays have been published in the New Yorker,
the New Republic and the New Yorker Times.
(Luebering)

7. “It’s one thing, after all, to tell a child a fairy tale at
bedtime; it’s quite another to tell the same story to an
adult, in all seriousness.”(Ghosh)
● Deen, a rare book dealer living in New York, becomes
fascinated by the Bengali folktale of the Gun Merchant.
This fascination leads him to visit the Sundarbans, a
mangrove forest in India facing environmental threats.
● The novel portrays the devastating effects of climate
change on the Sundarbans, including rising sea levels and
cyclones. Villages are flooded, livelihoods are threatened,
and the fragility of the ecosystem is highlighted.
About the Novel : ‘Gun Island’

8. ● ‘Gun Island’ weaves together Deen's contemporary story with the ancient folktale of the
Gun Merchant, who is chased by the snake goddess Manasa Devi for disrespecting
nature.
● This creates a dialogue between past and present, and raises questions about humanity's
relationship with the environment.
● The novel explores the theme of climate migration as characters like Tipu and Rafi are
forced to leave their homes in the Sundarbans due to rising sea levels. Their struggles
highlight the human cost of climate change and the need for solutions.
● Deen's journey leads him to question his own identity and place in the world. He
grapples with feelings of dispossession as he confronts the realities of climate change
and displacement.
● Despite the bleak environmental backdrop, ‘Gun Island’ also offers glimpses of hope.
The resilience of the Sundarbans ecosystem and the strength of the human spirit are
depicted, suggesting the possibility of adaptation and change.

9. What is Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) ?
● Climate Fiction, often abbreviated as Cli-Fi, is a
genre of literature that explores the complex and
far-reaching effects of climate change on society
and the environment through fictional narratives.
● In Cli-Fi literature, authors use storytelling
techniques to imagine the consequences of
environmental degradation, extreme weather
events, and other manifestations of global
warming.
● Through the lens of fiction, Cli-Fi seeks to raise
awareness, provoke thought, and inspire action on
pressing environmental issues.

10. ● The rise of Cli-Fi literature can be traced to the growing recognition of
climate change as one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity in the
21st century.
● As scientific evidence of climate change has become increasingly undeniable,
authors and readers alike have turned to fiction as a means of grappling with
the social, political, and ethical implications of environmental crises.
● In recent years, Cli-Fi has gained prominence as a distinct genre within the
broader category of eco-literature. A
● Authors from diverse backgrounds and literary traditions have contributed to
the Cli-Fi canon, producing works that range from dystopian visions of a
climate-ravaged future to more hopeful narratives of resilience and
adaptation.

11. Climate Change in ‘Gun Island’
“The world had changed too much, too fast; the
systems that were in control now did not obey any
human master; they followed their own imperatives,
inscrutable as demons.” (Ghosh)
● The novel depicts the degradation of the
Sundarbans mangrove forests, emphasizing the
impact of climate change on fragile ecosystems.
● Ghosh vividly portrays scenes of deforestation,
loss of biodiversity, and rising sea levels,
highlighting the destructive effects of human
activity on the environment.

12. ● Ghosh incorporates descriptions of extreme weather
events, such as cyclones and floods, that devastate
coastal communities in the Sundarbans.
● These events serve as powerful symbols of the
unpredictable and increasingly severe consequences of
climate change.
● Through the character of Piya Roy, a marine biologist
studying the Sundarbans, the novel provides scientific
insights into the ecological changes wrought by
climate change.
● Piya's research underscores the urgency of addressing
climate-related challenges and highlights the
interdisciplinary nature of efforts to understand and

13. Character Analysis & Climate Change
● Deen Datta : Deen's journey throughout the novel serves as a transformative
awakening to the interconnectedness of human actions and environmental
consequences.
● At the beginning of the novel, Deen is primarily focused on his career and
personal pursuits, seemingly disconnected from broader environmental
issues.
● As he becomes entangled in the legend of Bonduki Sadagar and witnesses
firsthand the environmental degradation in the Sundarbans, Deen's
perspective begins to shift.
● Through encounters with characters like Piya Roy, a marine biologist
studying climate change, and Cinta, a local guide, Deen gains a deeper
understanding of the ecological challenges facing the region.

14. ● Deen's journey leads him to recognize the profound impact of climate change
on both natural ecosystems and human communities, prompting him to
confront his own complicity and take action to address environmental issues.
● Piya Roy: As a marine biologist studying the impact of climate change on the
Sundarbans, Piya serves as a voice of scientific insight and urgency. She
actively confronts the realities of climate change and works to raise awareness
about its ecological consequences.
● Cinta: Cinta represents the local perspective on climate change, experiencing
firsthand the displacement and loss caused by rising sea levels and
environmental degradation. Despite the challenges she faces, Cinta remains
resilient and resourceful, embodying the adaptability necessary for survival in
a changing environment.

15. Narrative Structure & Climate Change
● Ghosh employs a multi-layered narrative structure that intertwines the protagonist's
personal journey with broader themes of environmental degradation and cultural
heritage.
● Throughout the novel, Ghosh blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction,
incorporating elements of mythology, folklore, and historical events into the
narrative.
● Ghosh employs symbolism and allegory to convey deeper messages about climate
change and humanity's place in the natural order.
● Ghosh uses storytelling and mythology to explore humanity's deep-seated
relationship with nature and the ways in which cultural narratives shape our
perceptions of the environment.
● Through the retelling of legends and myths, Ghosh emphasizes the importance of
oral tradition and collective memory in shaping cultural attitudes toward the
environment. Ghosh reinterprets mythical figures such as Manasa Devi and
Bonduki Sadagar to reflect contemporary environmental concerns.

16. Migration & Displacement
● The novel depicts characters, such as Cinta and her
family, who are forced to leave their homes in the
Sundarbans due to rising sea levels and environmental
degradation.
● Ghosh vividly portrays the challenges faced by these
climate migrants as they grapple with the loss of their
land, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
● Deen encounters migrants like Tipu and Rafi during his
journey, providing firsthand glimpses into the realities of
displacement and uncertainty about the future.
● These encounters serve to humanize the issue of climate
migration, shedding light on the stories of individuals who
are directly affected by environmental changes.

17. ● Migration serves as a powerful symbol of the broader themes of change
and adaptation explored in the novel.
● Through the motif of migration, Ghosh underscores the interconnectedness
of human experiences and the ways in which individuals are shaped by
their environments.
● By depicting the experiences of climate migrants in 'Gun Island,' Ghosh
draws attention to the global implications of climate-induced
displacement.
● The novel highlights the interconnectedness of environmental issues
across borders and underscores the need for international cooperation in
addressing the root causes of migration and displacement.

18. Can Literature save the Planet ?
“Hopeful climate fiction helps change ideas about climate change,”(Aurora)
● Literature has the ability to raise awareness about environmental issues by
bringing them to the forefront of public consciousness. Through compelling
narratives, vivid descriptions, and thought-provoking themes, literature can
educate readers about the complexities of environmental degradation, climate
change, and biodiversity loss.
● Literature has the power to inspire empathy toward the natural world and the
diverse communities affected by environmental crises. By presenting characters,
settings, and scenarios that resonate with readers on a personal and emotional
level, literature can foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of
human and non-human life and the importance of environmental stewardship.

19. ● Literature can serve as a catalyst for dialogue, debate, and collective
action on environmental issues. Through book discussions,
classroom readings, and public forums, literature can spark
conversations about the root causes of environmental problems,
potential solutions, and the role that individuals and communities
can play in effecting change.

20. Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh serves as a powerful example of
Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) literature that skillfully intertwines storytelling with urgent
environmental concerns. Through its vivid narrative, rich characterizations, and
thought-provoking themes, 'Gun Island' offers readers a compelling exploration of
the interconnectedness of human actions and environmental consequences. The
novel delves into the impacts of climate change on both natural ecosystems and
human communities, highlighting the urgency of addressing environmental
challenges in today's world. Reflecting on the significance of Cli-Fi literature in
addressing urgent environmental concerns, 'Gun Island' exemplifies the potential of
literature to raise awareness, inspire action, and foster empathy toward
environmental issues.

21. Work Cited
Aurora, Bhavneet Singh. “Author Interview: “Hopeful climate fiction helps change ideas
about climate change,” says Rajat Chaudhuri.” YouTube: Home, 9 November 2017,
https://kunzum.com/author-interview-rajat-chaudhuri/. Accessed 1 April 2024.
Ghosh, Amitav. Gun Island. Penguin Random House LLC, 2019.
Ghosh, Amitav. The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable.
University of Chicago Press, 2017.
Ghosh, Amitav. The Hungry Tide. HarperCollins Publishers India, 2005.
Gnanambigai, S. Sathiya. "CLIMATE FLUCTUATIONS, DECAMPMENT AND
SUBJUGATION IN AMITAV GHOSH’S GUN ISLAND: A CLIMATE FICTION."

22. Jalais, Annu. "The Sundarbans: whose world heritage site?." Conservation and Society 5.3 (2007): 335-342.
Khan, Rakibul Hasan. "Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island: The Climate Crisis and Planetary Environmentalism." Critique:
Studies in Contemporary Fiction (2024): 1-15.
Luebering, J.E.. "Amitav Ghosh". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Mar. 2024,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amitav-Ghosh. Accessed 31 March 2024.
MONDAL, ANSHUMAN A. Contemporary World Writers: Amitav Ghosh. Manchester University Press, 2011.
Pancholi, Nupur, and Sanjit Kumar Mishra. "The Era of Environmental Derangement: Witnessing Climate Crisis in
Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island." (2021).
White, Laura A. “Novel Vision: Seeing the Sunderbans through Amitav Ghosh’s ‘The Hungry Tide.’”
Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, vol. 20, no. 3, 2013, pp. 513–31. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44087261. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Xu, Rongbin, et al. "Wildfires, global climate change, and human health." New England Journal of Medicine 383.22
(2020): 2173-2181.

23. Thank You…