Sense of place in Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost

Abstract

Michael Ondaatje in his novel Anil’s Ghost seems to be dealing with the sense of belongingness and alienation as experienced by the natives and the non-residential Sri Lankan people. The young protagonist of the novel, on her visit to her native place, senses that she is not used to the way of life there. Armed with the western culture to a great extent she faces difficulties in carrying out the work endowed upon her by the United Nations. Initially blinded by her expertise and experiences in forensic science she fails to recognize the real face of her native place. Her ignorance of the common beliefs and folk myths appears to become a recurring hindrance in her work. As the novel progresses an understanding of the demographics and local places dawns upon her. An attempt shall be made here to enquire how the sense of belongingness to a certain place becomes integral to an understanding of one’s nativity as well as development of one’s personality.