Review of Discovering Stephen Gill

* Appeared in Dialogue (India), a refereed journal page 94-96.

Vol.V, NUMBER II, December-2009

Discovering Stephen Gill, A Collection of Papers and Articles. Editor Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal, Authors Press (India) 2008, pages 168, Price: Rs. 475; ISBN- 978-81-7273-469-5

Dr. Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal, a lecturer in English Literature and author of several scholarly papers, has solid reasons to edited Discovering Stephen Gill. The book interprets Gill’s literary oeuvre to reveal his veiled premises and desires. Nilanshu kumar Agarwal has done an august effort by compiling all these papers that discuss divergent aspects of Gill’s literary works. In his foreword Asoka Weerasinghe portrays Gill as Eirenepoios which describes Gill flawlessly.

Introduction is penned by Deniel Bratton, a prominent Canadian writer who offers a prolific revelation of Gill’s sensitive creed of life and poetry. Bratton also monitors autobiographical propositions in Gill’s works.

The main thrust of the book is the Immigrant by Stephen Gill. Five papers out of eighteen contemplate on Reghu’s journey from his homeland to the land of opportunities. Papers highlight anguish, sufferings and torments Reghu endures throughout his stay and slow process of his assimilation in the new society and patterns of conduct. In one paper G. Dominic Savio and S. J. Kala say:

With new experiences Reghu moves further with

the hope of establishing himself, ----.

The interaction that takes place between members of Canadian society and Reghu and also between Reghu and other members of the outside group provides an opportunity to study behavioral patterns of the individuals of a society. Reghu, persona, lucratively brings out the realistic tribulations experienced by people who choose their way to be in a foreign land to enhance their prospects. The papers give a profound peep to understand the psychology of the seminal character and thus an opportunity to realize the problems of the Diaspora. Some of these papers do emphasize on Gill’s life and days when he suffered the same problems because he decided to live in Canada.

Gill’s poetry is the next area discussed in the book by contributors. Paper Nos- 3, 6, 7, 11 and 15 center around two collections of poems, Shrine, Songs before Shrine which reveal Gill’s longing for peace and harmony. Eco concern of Gill is well brought by one of the scholars. Imagery, love, protest of cruelties are some of the areas explored in this book. Papers collectively say that Gill’s poetic sensibility is shaped by his first hand experiences which left indelible imprints on his teen aged sensitive soul during his post independence stay in Delhi. The book tells that these horrible experiences have changed Stephen Gill to long for global peace which is badly needed for wounded souls.

Gill sings:

The dove pleads

that the dance of the hounds

be stopped

to let her pacifying carol

fortify human muscles

to build more Taj Mahals

and pyramids of justice. (Hounds of War)

Gill’s transformation is compared with the transformation of Valmiki the epic writer of Hindu classic The Ramayana. A name that flashes in my mind is the name of Siddharth who went in search of Truth because he had seen the suffering of the common people so is Gill in search for peace because he has seen the ordeal of the common masses. Gill appears to be the representative of those who yearn for peace and desire to make the earth a livable and lovable place. Some papers voice his desire to respect human rights, to fight against warfare and to eradicate hunger and abhorrence from the green planet.

One paper focuses on Gill’s stories. Characters of his stories are real human beings put in the complex situation to overcome that situation in their own way. The characters respond to the situation according to their social class and traditions. The paper talks about realistic value of his characters. Ashok Kumar and Roopali say:

Though Gill’s characters are not indepth studies, they

appear real and convincing. Gill has succeeded in

creating verisimilitude in his creations.

Six papers in Discovering Stephen Gill are on general aspect of Gill’s life and development of poetic career. Gill’s dreams and aspirations are admirably discussed by the contributors. Discovering Stephen Gill carries one interview of Stephen Gill by Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal. This interview has already appeared in Asian Tribune in 2007, offers intense understanding of Gill’s works and his poetic career.

Some contributions are too brief to be considered as research papers or articles. Paper nos. 15, 16 and 18 are not only brief but also do not carry any citation. I feel citations are important for a work of this nature. The book will be a great help to the teachers, scholars and students who want to know about Gill and his works to pursue their research. It gives an overall picture of his works and his life. The price of the book is affordable.

--Dr. Anuradha Sharma