Physical Cartographies—The Harbinger of Mental Cartographies in Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows

Abstract

This research paper explores the elements of territorialization which are defining the mental cartography of man along with his physical cartography in Kamila Shamsie’s novel, Burnt Shadows. The research will analyze the particular ‘fixtures’ which have created vague and ambivalent territories across a common man whether he is an (ex)colonizer or (ex)colonized. These fixtures are compelling him to act according to the already defined territories. Therefore, the research is focusing the theoretical paradigm of Deleuze and Guattari’s collaborated work for the notion of territorialization. The research focuses the factors which are contributing to create the hegemonic, static cartography in the novel. The purpose of this research is to highlight the elements of physical and mental territorialization of man. It will enable him to give a return gaze, to revamp the hegemonic cartographic discourse.