Multiplicity of Identity: Challenges and Opportunities of Immigration in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
Bahman Zaarinjooee
1
(
English Literature..Islamic Azad University.Borujerd.Iran
)
Faranak Shahmoradi
2
(
Department of English., Faculty of Foreign Languages, Islamic Azad University, Ghorveh, Iran
)
Leila Baradaran Jamili
3
(
Assistant Professor of English Literature، Borujerd Branch، Islamic Azad University، Borujerd، Iran (Corresponding Writer)
)
Keywords: Multiplicity of Identity, Unaccustomed Earth, Challenge, Opportunity, Jhumpa Lahiri, Immigration ,
Abstract :
The era of globalization, transnationalism, and socio-cultural transformations has caused the emergence of multiple identities in 21st-century diasporic literature. The concept of identity, with its inherent complexities and subtleties, has always been a subject of research and exploration in cultural studies. Jhumpa Lahiri, a prominent voice of multiple Indian-American identities, explores the notion of identity in her second short story collection, "Unaccustomed Earth" (2008), where she examines the challenges faced by individuals caught between the challenges of culture, family, and society. This paper, using the theoretical perspectives of Stuart Hall and Michael Ryan, investigates the experience of multiple identities in Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth." Through a close analysis of some narratives, it elucidates the complex interplay between the characters' backgrounds, new cultural environments, and their sense of complexity. The study examines the role of Lahiri's characters in navigating the tensions between their Bengali cultural heritage and the norms of Western culture. On the other hand, migration can provide opportunities for a fresh start, education, and economic improvement, but it also brings its own set of challenges. This research aims to identify these challenges and opportunities, the domains in which they occur, and how Lahiri has portrayed them. The findings of this study can assist readers in understanding how multiple identities entail both challenges and opportunities in the context of migration, which is a critical consideration for global communities.
منابع
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