Narrative Ethics, Postcolonial Moral Critique, and Historical Accountability in Amitav Ghosh’s Fiction

Abstract

Postcolonial literature has emerged as a significant arena for examining ethical questions, revisiting historical narratives, and challenging the ideological foundations of empire. Among contemporary writers, Amitav Ghosh occupies a prominent position due to his persistent exploration of colonial histories, transnational movements, cultural encounters, and the dynamics of global capitalism. This study investigates the ways in which Ghosh’s fiction serves as an instrument of ethical reflection and moral interrogation. Through an examination of the Ibis Trilogy—Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke, and Flood of Fire—the paper explores how Ghosh questions the moral assumptions of colonial authority, recovers marginalized histories, and scrutinizes identity formation within imperial and capitalist structures. Particular attention is given to narrative techniques such as multiple perspectives, historical reconstruction, and testimonial storytelling, which enable the author to challenge dominant historical narratives and propose alternative ethical possibilities. Drawing upon postcolonial theory, narrative ethics, and critiques of capitalist modernity, the study argues that Ghosh transforms narrative into a site of ethical engagement, fostering critical awareness of historical injustice while envisioning forms of responsibility grounded in plurality, interconnectedness, and collective memory.