Angels and Devils: A Transformative Process in Salman Rushdie's, The Satanic Verses
Angels and Devils: A Transformative Process in
Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses
Shortly after Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha fall over the English Channel, they both seem to go through a major transformation which is one of the themes in Salman Rushdie’s novel, The Satanic Verses. Farishta and Chamcha not only go through an opposite physical transformation but a mental process throughout the novel with themselves, each other, and society around them. Saladin goes through a physical mutation into a “devil-like” figure with horns and cloven hooves, while Gibreel acquires a halo seen only sometimes, giving him an “angel-like” appearance. These bodily changes took place based on how the two men have previously been judged in life, with Gibreel being a famous actor playing godly roles, and Saladin denying his true identity by trying to become an Englishman. It becomes apparent towards the end of the novel that the transformations are deceiving. Although the mutations started off as physical for the two characters, they ended up having a huge mental impact on each one of them. Gibreel’s conversion starts shortly after he decides that he does not believe in God. His transformation is somewhat confusing due to the fact that he is losing his faith and at the same time being portrayed as an angelic figure. Also, we have seen in the novel that Gibreel is far from an innocent being as he begins the story with sulfur breath that no actress would prefer to kiss, suggesting that he has devilish characteristics. Farishta’s halo is first seen in Rosa Diamond’s house when his betrayal of Chamcha begins. Even though Gibreel is still expressing devil-like qualities on the inside, the reason for him transforming into an angel in appearance is the fact that the outside world sees him as a religious and godly figure because of his acting career. One can also look at the fact that Gibreel Farishta has always been “true” to himself as a reason why he is being transformed
Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses
Shortly after Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha fall over the English Channel, they both seem to go through a major transformation which is one of the themes in Salman Rushdie’s novel, The Satanic Verses. Farishta and Chamcha not only go through an opposite physical transformation but a mental process throughout the novel with themselves, each other, and society around them. Saladin goes through a physical mutation into a “devil-like” figure with horns and cloven hooves, while Gibreel acquires a halo seen only sometimes, giving him an “angel-like” appearance. These bodily changes took place based on how the two men have previously been judged in life, with Gibreel being a famous actor playing godly roles, and Saladin denying his true identity by trying to become an Englishman. It becomes apparent towards the end of the novel that the transformations are deceiving. Although the mutations started off as physical for the two characters, they ended up having a huge mental impact on each one of them. Gibreel’s conversion starts shortly after he decides that he does not believe in God. His transformation is somewhat confusing due to the fact that he is losing his faith and at the same time being portrayed as an angelic figure. Also, we have seen in the novel that Gibreel is far from an innocent being as he begins the story with sulfur breath that no actress would prefer to kiss, suggesting that he has devilish characteristics. Farishta’s halo is first seen in Rosa Diamond’s house when his betrayal of Chamcha begins. Even though Gibreel is still expressing devil-like qualities on the inside, the reason for him transforming into an angel in appearance is the fact that the outside world sees him as a religious and godly figure because of his acting career. One can also look at the fact that Gibreel Farishta has always been “true” to himself as a reason why he is being transformed
Cited: Rushdie, Salman. The Satanic Verses. New York: Random House, 2008.