Perspectives of Quiet Struggle in Sharon Bala’s The Boat People

Renee Candida V¹

¹III B A, Department of English, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Nagercoil. reneecandidav@gmail.com

Abstract

People all over the world proudly state that the earth has become a global village with technological advancements. Communication, travel and tourism have enabled people to move around different continents for business, education and fun. But it is not the same for a refugee who is forced to leave one’s country to survive when war is at its peak. The Canadian writer Sharon Bala explores the silent struggles of a refugee, Mahindan, who escapes the Sri Lankan Civil War with his six-year-old son Sellian. She also brings out the struggles of people who are involved in the refugee case through the characters of Priya Rajasekaran and Grace Nakamura. Mahindan is the protagonist. He loses his wife at childbirth and struggles after losing his belongings, family, relatives and job. His only motive is to save his son but that is shattered when he is accused of being a terrorist and is separated from his son. He faces endless court trials which are never fruitful. Sellian represents the young victims of war who are deeply traumatized and are struggling to adapt with the new culture and language. The novel not only sheds light on the struggles of asylum seekers but also raises critical questions about belonging and justice. The Boat People depicts how an ordinary person when faced with extraordinary challenges in life must overcome the day-to-day turmoil and inner struggles to survive the turbulence and evolve as a stronger and a better person.

Keywords: Asylum seekers, Displacement, Refugees, Sri Lankan Civil War, Trauma.