Myths and Archetypes in Rushdie’s Postcolonial World

Abstract

The following study analyses the realisations of the collective unconscious – archetypes and myths – in the world of postcolonial magical realism of Salman Rushdie in Midnight’s Children. The introduction provides a theoretical framework which relies on Jungian theory of the collective unconscious and archetypes. Archetypes create myths, religions, fairy tales and folk tales, and these creations become representatives of entire nations and epochs. Furthermore, the study examines the ways and reasons myths are implemented, since myths can serve as a tool for tapping into the collective unconscious. The paper gives special attention to religion (spirituality) and sexuality, as innate architypes and needs. Since Rushdie turns his back on Victorian and Indian tradition, giving advantage to postcolonial impulses and attitudes believing in an atheistic world that rejects myths, in the implementation of magical elements he sees an opportunity for the colonised and oppressed to finally rise above their oppressors.