Volume IV Special Issue VIII October 2024

Name of Author : Sashi Sharma

Title of the paper : Fragmented Identities: The Role of Displacement and Memory in Gurnahs Memory of Departure and Naipauls A House for Mr. Biswas

Abstract: This paper explores the impact of memories of displacement on the identities and narratives of characters in Abdulrazak Gurnahs Memory of Departure and V.S. Naipauls A House for Mr. Biswas. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Stuart Hall and Marianne Hirsch, this analysis highlights the crucial role of displacement memories in crafting narratives that reflect resilience, cultural adaptation, and the enduring effects of forced migration. The study examines how personal and collective memories of displacement shape identity formation and narrative construction in these literary works, illustrating how displacement disrupts and transforms individual identities, prompting introspection and reevaluation of origins and connections. The analysis also investigates how displaced individuals sustain cultural ties through rituals, traditions, and collective memories while adapting to new environments. Additionally, the paper discusses how these novels address broader geopolitical and cultural tensions, challenging essentialist notions of belonging and showcasing the adaptive strategies employed by displaced individuals to create meaningful lives amidst upheaval. Furthermore, it examines the internal struggles and resilience of protagonists in the face of dislocation, capturing universal human experiences such as the longing for home, adapting to change, and seeking stability in the midst of uncertainty.

Keywords : Postcolonial literature, Identity, Memory, Diaspora, Cultural identity, Colonialism, Problematics, Displacement.

DOI :

Page Number : 37-41