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Title ABJECTION, LIMINALITY, AND WARCHITECTURE: A STUDY OF MICHAEL ONDAATJE’S THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1992) AND CHRIS BOHJALIAN’S THE LIGHT IN THE RUINS (2013

Author(s) Fatima Bibi

Abstract Title: Abjection, Liminality, and Architecture: A Study of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient (1992) and Chris Bohjalian’s The Light in the Ruins (2013) The present research explores the depiction of war-ruined architecture in the selected literary texts, i.e., The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (1992) and The Light in the Ruins (2013) by Chris Bohjalian. This research is interdisciplinary in nature and investigates the influence of wartime violence on the identity and role of architecture and its depiction in literature. By identity, this study refers to an array of dimensions, including historical, social, functional, symbolic, and cultural, since wartime destruction leaves its influence on all these interconnected layers of architecture. Based on the textual evidence from the selected literary texts, this research suggests that wartime violence transcends the physicality of architecture and influences its symbolic meaning. This results in transforming the identity of architecture from an intact and safe space of simple dwelling into a partially ruined liminal space that is unsafe to inhabit yet promotes reconciliation among the victims and perpetrators of war. Architecture is mainly studied as a victim or a site of perpetration during wars. Once destroyed, the ruins are interpreted as carriers of the memories of the past or a promise for a better future. However, this study highlights the role of literature in opening up more possibilities for interpreting war-struck architecture by creating and presenting a rather positive picture of architecture in the postwar period. Moreover, the study also builds a connection between the discipline of architecture and literature. The theoretical framework employed in the research comprises Andrew Herscher’s concept of ‘Warchitecture’ and Julia Kristeva’s conceptualizations of ‘liminality’ and ‘abjection’ as the main theoretical lenses, while Nir Eisikovits’ concept of ‘reconciliation after conflicts’ as a secondary lens to analyze the selected texts. This qualitative research uses Catherine Belsey’s textual analysis method to study and analyze the selected texts and endeavors to explore the relationship between war and architecture, as well as its portrayal in literature. This study paves the way for researchers to examine the influence of violence on architecture and its inhabitants and how the multiple genres of literature portray this influence.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

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Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2024-12-23

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