How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The terrible fatalism which had overcome me of late had taken on an even more terrible form; drowning in the disintegration of family, of both countries to which I had belonged, of everything which can sanely be called real, lost in the sorrow of my filthy unrequited love, I sought out the oblivion of-I'm making it sound too noble; no orotund phrases must be used. Baldly, then: I rode the night-streets of the city, looking for death. (2.23.52)
Why do you think Saleem feels that the end of his world is inevitable? Why doesn't he try to fight it?
Quote #5
Wrath enabled me to survive the soft siren temptations of invisibility; anger made me determined, after I was released from vanishment in the shadow of a Friday Mosque, to 'begin, from that moment forth, to choose my own, undestined future (3.26.39)
Well this is an entirely different Saleem than we're used to. After he regains his memories, Saleem is obsessed with the idea of saving India. Do you think losing his memories has anything to do with that?
Quote #6
In the Widows' Hostel, I was taught, harshly, once-and-for-all, the lesson of No Escape; now, seated hunched over paper in a pool of Anglepoised light, I no longer want to be anything except what who I am. (3.26.41)
The Widow sterilized all of the midnight's children, which Saleem interprets as destroying their futures and possibilities. Saleem says that there is no escape, but he also says that there are tons of new midnight's children out there waiting to be born. Which one is it?