Summary Of Michael Ondaatje's Running In The Family

In one of his most notable works, Running in the family, Michael Ondaatje attempts to write fiction, which he claims to be more truth-telling then attempting to tell fact. In the final acknowledgements for his memoir Ondaatje praises many relatives and friends for providing the raw material his memoir is built upon, however he then adds: “While all these names [of real people] may give an air of authenticity, I must confess that the book is not a history but a portrait or ‘gesture.’ And if those listed above disapprove of the fictional air I apologize and can only say that in Sri Lanka a well-told lie is worth a thousand facts.”(Ondaatje 206) The above mentioned quote specifically sums up the novel and all it encompasses. This is made possible
by Ondaatje’s creative writing techniques and style, he includes an assortment of narrative perspectives and perceptions in order to make his own reality and distinguish ‘fact’ for himself. Simultaneously, this opens him up to expand on aspects of historical fact and imaginative truth. The authors use of various narrative perspectives lead to different voices being emerged and thus, expand the the readers understanding as well as his own. Being able to see from both Ondaatje’s perspective and his family’s we are able to go beyond believing whats in plain sight, but rather go deep and understand for ourselves. Looking back upon the book, it is evident that this style allows Ondaatje to reflect back on the lie he has lived and all that which he has experienced. This book depicts and follows a voyage to find oneself and Ondaatje carries out this quest in a fashion which bends with imaginative truth and historical fact. Ondaatje builds and ever present sense of knowledge in which the reader believes to have received all the known information regarding a particular event in a chapter, regardless of who is narrating the event. Ondaatje spectacular imagination allows each chapter to digress further and further form the previous, while still maintaining a sense of continuation and relation between them. Being a world renowned poet, Ondaatje he has a different approach to writing a novel then most. This special creativity leads him to tell different stories each chapter which in the end lead to come together to make a bigger picture. This style of telling a story allows Ondaatje to showcase Ceylon in a different manner, in a way the outside world does not see Ceylon as. A great example of this is the motif of cinnamon. Historically, Ceylon has been known for its richness in spices but, we also see a direct link to history and imagination from this. Captains of ships headed towards Ceylon would joke with the foreigners by dropping cinnamon on the floor of the ship and then asking them if they could smell Ceylon. Seeing this instance beyond a trick on foreigners, but rather the humour behind it we can notice that the cinnamon is in fact what Ceylonese people identify themselves with. Looking past the numerous narrative perspectives, something which is holds more importance in substance is the perceptions of Ondaatje’s many family members, who give sifnigficane to the values behind the book.
Ondaatje makes an allusion to Shakespeare on coutless occasions throughout the story, this in turn shows a parraellel between Ondaatjeand Shakespeares work. “The lunatic, the lover and the poet are of imagination all compact.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1) Every character throughout the story belongs to one of these three branches. this is because of the imaginative realm from which Ondaatje has brought them from. As Ondaatje progresses torecount the lives of his loved ones, he betters his own understanding of their lives through their point of view. Lalla, his maternal grandmother, personates a role which falls under “the lunatic” and “the lover”, on the other hand Melvyn, Ondaatje’s father, manifests all three. Alcohol is used to disclose both these characters true selfs. Generally, whilst drunk one exhibits behaviour quite different from an ordinary person, however this is called into question as these two characters behave as their true selves while drunk. Hidden behind their sober selves lies a brand new unseen side. “Lalla grew loud and cheerful [when drunk]”, (Ondaatje, 102) Lalla was a lively character whose used her imagination to bend the truth of what really happened in Ceylon society, whether she was drunk or sober. The manner in which Ondaatje
recounts Lalla’s death , he alludes to Shakespeare. As his grandmother floated down a flooded path, she departed the mortal world, Ophelia in Hamlet underwent the same experience. Considering the perceptions of various characters, and viewing the many narrative styles, all lead us to the conclusion that Ondaatje’s own life is the main factor behind this story.Looking back on the memoir, it is evident that Ondaatje is using this experience e of being back in Ceylon to establish and understand his childhood, which was currently running, hazy, in front of him. Ondaatje sees great importance in minuscule things and makes a great deal about them. “The photograph I have been waiting for all my life. My father and mother together.” (Ondaatje, 143). Ondaatje receives splendour in such things in order to create an atmosphere of fulfilment for himself. It appears as if he has been searching for this photograph in order to fill a void. This is a factor as to why Ondaatje is bending fact. He needs something to believe in, whether its fact or not. In a subsequent chapter, Ondaatje comments on his his relationship with his siblings as repelling poles and his father as the North pole, who no one could contact. A motive of nature is at play here, it shows a literal and physical representation of the mental and physical toll are a result of being separated for so long. Finally in the end the little things which seems insignificant and seem of little value are the things which carry great happiness and made all the difference for Ondaatje leaving him to cherish them them beyond belief. Running in the Family exemplifies the value behind the realm of family. Ondaatje takes the readers to the magical land of Ceylon to walk us through his family life. Through self reflection, narrative perspectives, and various family members perspectives, Ondaatje has undergone a journey to find his true inner self. Whether it be through the historical fact which is held in his homeland, or the imaginative truth which his family portrays, Ondaatje fulfills his quest of finding his inner self by simply wruing this splendid memoir.