Question: W​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​rite a critical close-reading of Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories with a specific focus on the novel’s use of fantasy to communicate the underlying issue of censorship

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Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a work of fantasy that addresses the issue of censorship in a number of ways. The story revolves around the character Haroun, who sets out on a quest to save his father’s ability to tell stories. In the course of his journey, Haroun encounters a number of different creatures and characters who represent aspects of the issue of censorship.

For example, one of the villains in the novel is Khattam-Shud, the leader of the Censors. Khattam-Shud and his followers believe that all stories should be censored in order to conform to their own narrow view of reality. As a result, they have created a society in which all stories are heavily censored and restricted.

This fantasy setting provides a metaphor for the reality of censorship. In our own world, censorship is often used to control what people can read, see, or hear. Just as Khattam-Shud and his followers seek to control the stories that are told, so too do those who advocate for censorship.

The use of fantasy in Haroun and the Sea of Stories allows Rushdie to explore the issue of censorship in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. By creating a world in which stories are censored, Rushdie highlights the ways in which censorship can stifle creativity and restrict freedom of expression. At the same time, by ultimately defeating the censors and restoring the power of stories, Rushdie offers a hopeful vision for those who seek to resist censorship.