Borders and Multiculturalism:A Reading of The Namesake and Brick Lane

Abstract

Hyphenated identities are crucial elements of a multicultural setup. And cultural conflicts are perhaps inherent in individuals who strive to exist with two identities imposed on them. What we know today as Diaspora Literature, is perhaps an attempt to put forth the complexities behind hyphenated identities. Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and Monica Ali’s Brick Lane trace the identity crisis that underlies an immigrant’s life. Both works also depict the conflicts between the first-generation and second-generation immigrant’s. In my paper I have analyzed The Namesake and Brick Lane closely to show how the novelists have portrayed immigrant lifestyle in their works. My paper also deals with the vision the novelists have of an ideal multi-cultural setup. For instance, how assimilation of another culture can make an immigrant’s life better if not perfect.