Migration and Exile in the Short Fiction of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18533/jah.v12i05.2377Keywords:
Exilic, Predicaments, Acculturation, Displacement, Alienation, MigrationAbstract
Background: The proposed paper focuses on the exploration of the psyche of a female migrant in the short fiction of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni whose fictional world grapples with exilic predicaments. The paper aims to analyse themes of exile, alienation, isolation and displacement. The paper through closed textual reading reflects on the reconstruction of identities through a conscious change of 'self ' in the protagonists.
Problem Statement: The question on the identity of an exile remains paradoxical such as where a female migrant truly belongs, who they are and struggles over finding a physical space called 'home'. A fusion of cultures being productive for one could mean rejection, anguish, possible suicide and death for the other.
Methods: The paper is an attempt to integrate interpretative, exploratory, critical and thematic analysis. These methodologies are utilized to examine diasporic themes of exile, the fractured psyche of the female in migration and questions on identity reconstruction.
Key Findings: Reconstitution of identities leads to the creation of a 'new hybrid culture'. This broadens their horizons and enables them to seek gender equality and take up larger challenges of life as a catalyst of ' societal evolution'. They hold onto their familial tradition on one hand while grasping liberalism, professional mobility and renewed cultural mores in transnational spaces.
Contributions: Even in exile, the female migrant has made enormous contributions, advancement and progression in their host country with commitment and enthusiasm in areas of education, technology, science, engineering, arts etc. They have patronized and venture capital support to their country of origin.
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