Metropolis and narrative strategies in Jeet Thayil’s Narcopolis

Abstract

The paper examines the way such narrative fragments merge to provide a comprehensive depiction of urban life, emphasizing the interdependence of individual stories within the larger metropolitan structure. Jeet Thayil’s Narcopolis intricately explores the metropolis of Bombay, delving into its chaotic and vibrant essence through innovative narrative strategies. The present paper explores Thayil's utilization of distinctive narrative strategies to portray the intricacies of city life and the many encounters of his characters. Narcopolis transcends traditional narrative frameworks with merging lyrical written form, non-linear chronologies, and fragmented viewpoints to mirror the disorder and liveliness of the metropolitan setting. Thayil's work is ultimately portrayed as a pioneering and significant addition to modern literature, providing deep understanding of the metropolis as both a physical and psychological realm. Thayil employs an experimental vocabulary that combines terms from many vernaculars used in Bombay, which enhances the narrative's realistic nature with an added sense of authenticity. Thayil's first novel serves as a platform for the marginalized, shedding light on their survival in the periphery, often hidden from a comprehensive examination.