‘Heroic-Imaginary’ or ‘Survivor-Instinct’: Kire’s Mari a Case to Point

Abstract

The classical tradition of heroic narratives eulogising ideals of heroism in war evolved with the overwhelming human misery of ‘real wars’. The two extremes portraying idealism of super-human grit and courage versus the existential loss of common suffering, exist in sharp opposition to each other.

Mari, a fictional war narrative by Easterine Kire presents an alternative view that is uniquely distinct from the skewed polarities. The Battle of Kohima described in the novel narrates how a docile young girl grows in courage simply to live. The novel resonates that victory or defeat can never match the importance of survival and  transformation.