Conceptualization of the Diaspora Identity Formulation: From Literary Theory and Cultural Perspective

This paper strives to traverse the aspects related to the maze of conceptualization of diaspora identity formulation from a literary theory and cultural perspective referring to Bharati Mukherjee’s diasporic writings. To this end, this paper discusses the issues of the diaspora, diasporic literary tenets, and diaspora identity based on primary and secondary sources. It also employs Homi K. Bhabha’s theory of hybridity, S. Hall’s diaspora and cultural identity, and other noted diasporic and cultural theorists’ contributions as a method for the research analysis and theoretical foundation of the study. The research analysis shows that to configure diaspora identity, the diasporic community does not depend on fixed boundaries or identities because they develop their own fluid/split identities based on their different situations of life in the New World of multicultural ambience, as Jasmine’s different identities in different situations and locations are reflected in Mukherjee’s novel Jasmine (1989). This paper also contributes significantly to diasporic transcultural studies and literary criticism in particular.