In Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children," the protagonist grapples with the weight of historical significance as he questions his unique burden amidst the vast number of lives lived. The quote reflects a sense of individual isolation within the grand narrative of history, underlining the protagonist's struggle with identity and fate as they intertwine with the tumultuous events surrounding India’s partition.
This introspection raises profound questions about personal responsibility and the connection between individual lives and historical events. The protagonist's plight serves as a microcosm of the human experience, illustrating how personal history and collective heritage can collide, leaving one to ponder their place in a world shaped by the past.