Kevin Tyler's Channel Firing Essay

Kevin Tyler Due: April 21st, 2011 English 336 Channel Firing Essay Toru Dutt's "My Vocation" Of all the aspects that characterize British history, imperialism is an inevitable one. Subsequently, in efforts to gain perspective of the effects of colonialism, the input of a colonized individual would prove an invaluable resource. Further, an individual that can attest to the qualities of both the Imperial force and the perception of that Imperial force from an indigenous population- having one foot in both worlds- would be all the more advantageous in pursuit of a universal understanding of literature from a select period of time. It is for these reasons that the works of Toru Dutt provide incredibly utility in the studies of British Victorian Literature. Born and raised (primarily) in Calcutta, Dutt had the debatable privilege of growing into adolescence amidst the intersection of two cultures. In spite of learning the rigid Christian teachings of her parents, the young Indian poet kept a consistent connection with the Hindu religious traditions of her own nationality (Bande). This infusion of spirituality and culture creates an stimulating view of English politics of the nineteenth century; additionally, the innovative retelling of Biblical principles and moral instruction by way of Hindu creation myths makes for a never-before encountered take on Eastern European theology. To investigate a particular example, Dutt's poem "My Vocation" (published originally in 1876) captures various facets of these intersecting dynamics. This poem tells the story of an outsider struggling with the uniqueness of her role in life, addressing abstract constructs such as Beauty, anguish, and God. Through the lenses of ethnicity, gender, and religion, Toru Dutt's My Vocation provides powerful insight to the effects of colonization from the perspective of the colonized. The poem beings with an off-setting physical description: "A waif on this earth, Sick, ugly and small, Contemned from my birth And rejected by all. From my lips broke a cry, such as anguish may wring, Sing—said God in reply, Chant poor little thing" (Dwivedi 65). From this characterization the reader is presented with the foreigner's perception of themselves in a strictly English world. It is arguable that the narrator would not perceive herself (or himself) as poorly as he/she does were the societal influences absent or less dominant. Were "God" truant and "all" that reject the speaker silent, self-esteem would very likely be higher. However, British colonization has brought both white skin and a deity that the Indian population seems unable to please, and morale is at an all time low. The bird is an interesting analogy; emerging from the egg feeble and tiny, the Indian citizen is limited in hopes of mobility. Restricted by external appearance (or more specifically in this situation, skin-color), the narrator is seen simply as helpless and in need of assistance from a more presentable entity. This paradigm is detrimental to both parties; it is incorrect for the Englishman to think that he is superior as it provides him with a skewed view of the world and an inflated ego. To the Indian, he or she is taught that they are comparatively insignificant and in inherent need of reform. The closing stanza of the poem addresses another aspect of the speaker's environmental struggles: "All men have a task, And to sing is my lot—No meed from I ask, But one kindly thought" (Dwivedi 66). From these lines, the audience is invited to examine the poem's understanding of gender. In a cultural perspective, the European male is generally dominant in society; thus, the feelings of obscurity an Indian female might encounter would be entirely foreseeable. While the British man has a general sense of purpose and is a good candidate for possessing a specialized "task," the speaker is a bird in that sense that her "chanting" seems to be an unneeded addition to society. Males in her life contribute to functionality; her role is simply to serve the man (or in this case, England). This train of thought parallels England's colonization of India, in that, the Indian population should consider superimposed European rule as a blessing. As Christ extends his hand to the world, England "paternally" reaches to India in efforts to convert the nation to Christianity- along with a Western lifestyle. This combination of gender and spirituality leads to another lens of examination- religion. The second stanza of the poem questions various aspects of the speaker's surroundings: "By Wealth's coach besmeared With dirt in a shower, Insulted and jeered By the minions of power, Where- oh where shall I fly" (Dwivedi 66). The phrase concludes with the same imperative statement that appears in every section of the text as God instructs the bird to chant. The concept of minions in power is a seemingly paradoxical one, however, it offers the audience a compelling look at the hierarchy of the colonial division of command. The speaker reflects from an ostensibly insignificant position of authority, but the bird's belief in God (as evidenced by the closing lines of every stanza) initiates the attitude that authority figures are selected and empowered via divine jurisdiction. Thus, as earthly rulers are chosen for a reason, they are meant to be obeyed, and there is limited course of action for the narrator to take. In the same way that the Indian citizen is left only to comply, the bird is left only to chant. Toru Dutt was an incredibly well-cultured woman; she was well-traveled, tri-lingual, and intimately familiar with the religious and social customs of two entirely unrelated worlds (Bande). Through her articulate attempts at recreating the environment around her, the literary critic has a tremendous opportunity of understanding the effects of European colonization during the 19th century; in reflection of "My Vocation," the audience is wholly able to do just that. Works Cited Dwivedi, A. N. Indian Poetry in English: a Literary History and Anthology. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities, 1980. Print. 65-66. Bande, Usha. "TORU DUTT - THE FIRST INDIAN POETESS IN ENGLISH." Startup Page. 27 June 2001. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. .