English Literature

Human beings seek to connect with each other in order to fulfill their social and emotional needs. But in some circumstances human beings find it difficult to make connections with each other. The difficulties experienced by human beings in making connections in their lives are depicted in the novel The Transmission by Hari Kunzru. The novel follows the life of an Indian computer programmer, Arjun Mehta working in U.S.  When Arjun Mehta is informed about his chances of losing his job, he attempts to save his job by spreading a computer virus on the internet. This virus symbolizes the connections between the real world and the virtual world in the novel. When the virus is set free in the virtual world, its impact is felt on the human beings living in the real world. The disconnections between the virtual world and real world lead to disconnections between the characters in the real world.

Connections
    In E.M. Forsters novel Howards End, the character of Margaret Schlegel comments on the need to connect with each other fully in order to lead a contented life which is full of love. Forster (1947) writes, Only connect That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. (pg.187). Through his novel, EM Forster famously urged that we only connect. Although the phrase suggests a positive imperative for making ties, it despairs about the difficulties of making connections. It is this theme of connections that is explored in the novel The Transmission, as its characters struggle to connect with each other in the age of

internet. As Forster brings forth the inability of human beings to connect with each other, Kunzru also focuses on the connections which get lost owing to the influence of technology.  The novel delves on the difficulties experienced by human beings to connect with each other in an age where technology has brought widespread changes in every aspect of their lives. Owing to the advent of internet, human beings have succeeded in creating a virtual world where they connect with each other frequently even though they are unable to relate to each other in the real world. The connection between the virtual world and the real world has influenced the thinking, attitudes and behavior of human beings in a considerable way. This influence is brought forth, when a virus breaks off the connection leading to chaos in the virtual as well as the real world. The protagonist of the novel, Arjun Mehta is the person responsible for the disconnection of the real world with the virtual world, as he is the one who creates the virus and sets it free on the internet. He spreads the virus through the video of Leela, his favorite Bollywood actress.
As the virtual world begins to disconnect from the real world owing to the effect of thevirus, the economic lives of human beings begins to disintegrate. Kunzru (2004) mentions that Experts have estimated her damage to global business at almost 50 billion.. doesnt capture the chaos of those days. During Leelas brief period of misrule, normality was completely overturned. Lines of idle brokers chewed their nails in front of frozen screens. (pg.4). The disconnection also affects the ability of the characters in the novel to connect with each other. Numerous fans of Leela are unable to connect with her, owing to the virus. As Leela danced on the screen of their computers, the fans felt that a connection was being developed between them and Leela, for they thought that Leela was dancing just for them. Kunzru (2004) writes, For a moment, even in the midst of your panic, you probably felt special. Which was

Leelas talent. Making you believe it was all just for you. (pg. 3).  The other characters whose lives are affected by the disconnection caused by the virus are Guy Swift, a person known as the marketing visionary and Gabriella Caro, his girlfriend. Guy Swifts success depends upon his connections with the international venture capitalists. But the arrival of the virus in the virtual world makes it difficult for him to satisfy the international venture capitalists. Gabriella Caro works as a public relations expert and so when the virus puts Leela in the limelight, she had to leave for Scotland where Leela is shooting for her next film. Caro had to solve the problems which have emerged in the public relations of her client, Leela owing to the virus and the resultant publicity. As both Swift and Caro are busy in dealing with the damaging effects of the virus on their professions, they are failing to maintain the connection of love between them. The virus is not only disconnecting the real world from the virtual world but also breaking the connections between the characters in the real world.