Between Two Worlds: Exploring Dual Identity In Jhumpa Lahiri'S &Quot;The Namesake&Quot;
Rakesh Kumar Sharma
Asst. Professor of English, Govt. P.G. College, Jind, Haryana, India
Priya Singh Chauhan
Asst. Professor of English, Govt. P.G. College, Jind, Haryana, India
Abstract
The concept of 'diaspora' derives its roots from the Greek words 'dia' and 'speirein,' signifying dispersion and scattering, respectively. Originally, it referred to the Jewish Community, a group without a sovereign state, facing discrimination and oppression worldwide. Over time, the term extended to encompass other nationalities displaced from their homelands due to various reasons. While a distinction must be made between forced and voluntary migrations, the essence of diaspora inherently involves a sequence of dislocation and relocation, creating a complex web of emotions and experiences. Individuals who choose to leave their homeland and establish themselves in a new environment on a long-term basis encounter a profound sense of loss and nostalgia, followed by the pursuit of assimilation in unfamiliar surroundings. Collectively, these experiences shape the Indian diaspora, encompassing all Indians residing beyond the borders of their native land. Jhumpa Lahiri, born to educated middle-class Bengali parents in London and raised in Rhode Island, USA, masterfully captures the essence of the diaspora in her literary works. Her debut collection of short stories, "Interpreter of Maladies" (which earned her the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000), and her first novel, "The Namesake," have garnered widespread recognition and played a significant role in cinematic history. Before delving into the thematic exploration of diasporic conflicts and dual identities in "The Namesake," it is pertinent to consider Lahiri's own insights. In an interview with Houghton Mifflin Company, Lahiri emphasizes that her novel revolves around individuals who are culturally displaced or grow up straddling two distinct worlds simultaneously. She candidly addresses the challenges faced by immigrants, acknowledging the burdens of exile, loneliness, perpetual alienation, and the profound longing for a lost world, which are often more explicit and distressing for immigrants themselves than for their offspring