Exploring Identity: Postcolonial Perspectives in Indian English Novels

Dr. Vijay Kumar Banshiwal

Identity, Postcolonialism, Indian English Novels, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Cultural Hybridity, Gender, Caste, Immigrant Experience.

This research paper explores the multifaceted representations of identity in Indian English novels through a postcolonial lens. It examines key texts, including Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, and Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, to highlight how individual identities are shaped by intersecting historical, cultural, and social contexts. The paper discusses the fluidity of identity in Rushdie’s narrative, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal and national histories. In contrast, Roy’s exploration of gender and caste underscores the emotional weight of societal norms, particularly for women navigating oppressive structures. Lahiri’s focus on the immigrant experience reveals the complexities of dual identities and the quest for belonging in multicultural landscapes. The comparative analysis demonstrates that identity is not a static construct but a dynamic interplay of personal agency and collective memory. By addressing the diverse experiences that define selfhood, this paper contributes to a richer understanding of identity in postcolonial literature. The findings underscore the significance of recognizing the nuanced realities of identity representation in Indian English novels, highlighting the importance of context in shaping individual and collective experiences in a globalized world.

Published Paper   E-Certificate

"Exploring Identity: Postcolonial Perspectives in Indian English Novels", IJNRD - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (www.IJNRD.org), ISSN:2456-4184, Vol.9, Issue 10, page no.d201-d213, October-2024, Available :https://ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2410325.pdf

Volume 9 Issue 10, October-2024

Pages : d201-d213

Paper Reg. ID: IJNRD_301579

Published Paper Id: IJNRD2410325

Downloads: 00088

Research Area: Science and Technology

Country: -, -, India

Published Paper PDF: https://ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2410325

Published Paper URL: https://ijnrd.org/viewpaperforall?paper=IJNRD2410325

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14058710

ISSN: 2456-4184 | IMPACT FACTOR: 8.76 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016

An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 8.76 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator

Publisher: IJNRD (IJ Publication) Janvi Wave

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License and The Open Definition