Issue Details

EXAMINING CULTURAL CONFLICT AND IDENTITY IN JHUMPA LAHIRI’S THE NAMESAKE

ABSTRACT

Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel, The Namesake, depicts the challenges and difficulties faced by a Bengali couple who emigrate to the United States in order to establish a new life away from their familiar surroundings. The text delves into the notions of cultural identity, displacement, tradition, and familial obligations in a clear and refined writing style. The prevalent themes in her fiction are remembrance, nostalgia, loss, and longing. Her narratives depict individuals who have migrated to different nations in search of improved circumstances, yet their previous experiences persist as a lingering presence, serving as a constant reminder of their original origins. This novel serves as a documentary, capturing the essence of these encounters. It portrays a vivid portrayal of a small family navigating the journey between two distinct realms. This study aims to analyse the characters of the first and second generations of immigrants in the novel The Namesake and investigate identity crises and complex cultural ties from the perspective of modern culture. The research aims to analyse the contrasting allure of the American lifestyle and the pull of customs within two distinct civilizations. The individuals in this story form a connection over time while living in a foreign country, and their cultural identity is always shaped by the ideals they have inherited.

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