The Immigrants Experience and Negotiating Heritage In Jhumpa Lahiri’sThe Namesake (2005)
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Date
2024
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University of ‘Abbes Laghrour’ Khenchela
Abstract
Abstract
This study examines the themes of immigration and assimilation within the Indian diaspora
as portrayed in Jhumpa Lahiri's novel The Namesake. Employing the frameworks of diaspora
studies, postcolonialism, and multiculturalism, it explores the experiences of an Indian diaspora
family navigating immigration and assimilation in America. Through a close analysis of the
characters' experiences, and their struggles and achievements, the study highlights the
complexities of their cultural displacement, identity formation, and the search for belonging.
Drawing on diaspora studies, the analysis will explore how the Ganguli family negotiates the
concept of "home" across geographical and cultural boundaries. A postcolonial lens will be used
to examine how the characters grapple with the lingering effects of colonialism on their sense of
identity and cultural practices. Finally, through the lens of multiculturalism, the study will
explore the complexities and possibilities of navigating multiple cultures, particularly the
challenges and opportunities of maintaining their heritage while integrating into American
society. This examination of the concept of diaspora, alongside the insights from postcolonial
and multicultural frameworks, contributes to a deeper understanding of immigration, assimilation,
and cultural identity in a globalized world.
Keywords: diaspora, immigration, assimilation, identity, name, belonging