British Imperialism In Nectar In A Sieve By Kamala Markandaya

Mahatma Gandhi once said that “they may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience”. In his saying he states how the imperialists can harm him in a satisfying way they desire, but they will never cause him enough harm to cause him to follow their greedy governments and orders. Gandhi was able to unite India the dying Indians in order to receive their independence. Another victim of British Imperialism was Rukmani in the novel Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya; her family and her struggle to live with the new foreigners. As time passes the family settled and adapts to the British taking the native land. The imperialists are given more power over the majority population, causing …show more content…
The British built tanneries in India in order to take the needed land from the innocent people. As the “storm” occupies the village of Rukmani it “[leaves a] disaster and desolation” the people struggle more for food, protection and survival (Markandaya 41). The storm that demolishes the town symbolizes the British storming into India and decimating the native’s livelihood. Even though the massive storm of Great Britain attacks the town, it mentions how “the [British] tannery stood, its brick and cement had held it together” showing how British territories and land seek to remain and stay put (Markandaya 41). Britain 's industrialized invention of the tannery results in resources, and land to be taken away from the people; however, when the “storm” of the Britain hits, the powerful building stands. The “bricks” and “cement” of the tannery connotes strong and durable, showing Britain 's force and objective of building the masterpiece (Markandaya 41). However, since the “[tannery] workers’ huts had been demolished” it demonstrates how the British use the impoverished people of India to their advantage by destroying their homes, and causing them to work in the non-beneficial tanneries (Markandaya 41). The tear down of the natives demonstrates the foreigner’s selfishness and their objective of helping themselves. The people are not aware of the breakdown of their life …show more content…
When Britain have full control of India in order to survive people begin working with the foreigners as Selvam’s one of Rukmani’s son says how “’ [he’s] no farmer’” and that “the land has no liking for [him]”’ Showing how loved ones are betrayed in India (Markandaya 109). Instead of following his father’s old and rich farming style, he says how “’Kenny is building a hospital’ ‘when ready he will [be his] assistant”’ showing his intentions of to lean with the British Imperialism (Markandaya 109). When bringing up Kenny it symbolizes the British Imperialism and how he will be joining the dominant force of the foreigners. By working for the killers, it shows how younger generations turn on their ancestors who have worked so hard to able them to survive. Also, by being Kenny’s assistant it connotes how he is assisting the British by working and helping the outsiders earn what they need. Also an assistant is commonly known as the lower class or job opportunity under the director in this case Kenny and Britain. Moreover, this demonstrates how the younger generation and the Indian population are becoming weaker by fluffing the foreigner’s needs. Similarly, in the passage of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe shows how the people of Nigeria have not fought back, but supported by helping the British