International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences

Vol-8, Issue-2; Mar-Apr, 2023

Journal Home Page Available: https://ijels.com/

Journal DOI: 10.22161/ijels

A Discourse on Diaspora: Exploring Identity and Alienation

in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
Yogesh Kumar1, Prof. Gunjan Sushil2
1Research Scholar, Department of English & Modern European Languages, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8652-1808
2Professor, Department of English & Modern European Languages, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India

Received: 12 Mar 2023; Received in revised form: 12 Apr 2023; Accepted: 22 Apr 2023; Available online: 30 Apr 2023
©2023 The Author(s). Published by Infogain Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Abstract— Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth (2008) is a collection of short stories that explores the
experiences of immigrants and their descendants in the United States, particularly those of Bengali origin.
This research paper critically examines the diasporic discourse of identity and alienation in Lahiri's work.
Through a close analysis of selected stories from Unaccustomed Earth, this paper delves into the themes of
cultural displacement, the search for identity, and the feeling of alienation among the characters. It also
explores how these themes are intricately connected with the characters' diasporic experiences and the
challenges they face in navigating their dual identities as immigrants or children of immigrants in a foreign
land. The paper argues that Lahiri's portrayal of diasporic experiences reflects the complexities and nuances
of the immigrant identity, the sense of unbelonging, and the constant negotiation between the old and new
worlds. Moreover, it highlights how Lahiri's work engages with the tensions and conflicts that arise from the
clash of cultural norms, the longing for home, and the struggle to reconcile with one's past while embracing
the present.
Keywords— Diaspora, Identity, Alienation, Assimilation, Bengali, Immigrant, Cultural Displacement,
Unaccustomed Earth

INTRODUCTION parts of the world, resulting in the formation of a community

Jhumpa Lahiri, an acclaimed writer of Indian origin, has
gained international recognition for her evocative portrayal
of the immigrant experience in the United States. In her
collection of short stories titled Unaccustomed Earth, Lahiri
delves into the lives of Bengali immigrants and their
descendants, exploring the complexities of their diasporic
identities and the sense of alienation they experience in a
foreign land. Through her vivid characters and poignant
narratives, Lahiri illuminates the challenges faced by
immigrants in navigating their dual identities, reconciling
with their cultural heritage, and finding a sense of belonging
in a new world.
The diasporic experience of identity and alienation is a
central theme in Lahiri's work. Diaspora refers to the
dispersion of a group of people from their homeland to other
that maintains a connection with its place of origin. Lahiri's
characters grapple with questions of identity, as they
navigate between their Indian heritage and their American
surroundings. They often find themselves caught in a web
of cultural displacement, torn between the expectations of
their parents' generation and the realities of their adopted
country. This research paper aims to critically analyze the
diasporic discourse of identity and alienation in
Unaccustomed Earth.
INDIAN-AMERICAN IDENTITY
Indian-American identity is a prominent theme in
Unaccustomed Earth as Lahiri delves into the struggles and
conflicts faced by Indian immigrants and their descendants
in America. One of the main aspects of Indian-American

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Kumar and Sushil A Discourse on Diaspora: Exploring Identity and Alienation in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
identity explored in the book is the tension between the old
world of Indian traditions and the new world of American
culture. Lahiri depicts characters who are caught between
two worlds, trying to reconcile their Indian roots with their
American upbringing or the American society they now live
in.
The characters in Unaccustomed Earth often grapple with
issues such as assimilation, cultural adaptation, and the
clash between different cultural values. They struggle to
strike a balance between their Indian heritage and the
American lifestyle, sometimes feeling like they do not fully
belong to either culture. This identity conflict is particularly
evident in the second generation, who may feel torn
between their Indian heritage and the American culture they
are immersed in.
The stories in Unaccustomed Earth also explore the
generational gap that can arise between immigrant parents
and their American-born children. Lahiri portrays the
challenges of communication, understanding, and
connection between parents who hold onto their traditional
values and customs, and their children who are growing up
in a different cultural context. This generation gap often
results in misunderstandings, conflicts, and a sense of
displacement for the characters.
Another important theme in Unaccustomed Earth is the
sense of displacement and longing for home. Many of the
characters in the stories feel a deep yearning for their home
country of India, while also grappling with their sense of
belonging in America. They may feel disconnected from
their Indian heritage, while at the same time never fully
fitting in with mainstream American society. This sense of
displacement can create a complex emotional landscape for
the characters as they navigate their dual identities.
At the same time, Unaccustomed Earth also depicts the
strong family ties and cultural traditions that Indian-
Americans often cherish. Lahiri portrays the importance of
family, community, and cultural customs in the lives of her
characters. Despite the challenges they face, the characters
often find solace and connection through their Indian
heritage, and it serves as an anchor in their journey of self-
identity. Unaccustomed Earth offers a nuanced portrayal of
Indian-American identity, exploring the complexities,
challenges, and joys of living between two cultures. It
depicts the struggles of immigrants and their descendants as
they navigate issues of assimilation, generational gaps, and
the search for belonging, while also showcasing the richness
of Indian heritage and the significance of family and cultural
traditions.
IJELS-2023, 8(2), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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ASSIMILATION AND ALIENATION
Assimilation, in the context of Unaccustomed Earth, refers
to the process of immigrants adopting the cultural norms,
values, and behaviors of their new country. The characters
in the stories often grapple with the tension between their
cultural heritage and the desire to fit in with American
society. They may struggle to balance their traditional
values and practices with the expectations and pressures of
the mainstream American culture. For example, in the story
"Hell-Heaven," the protagonist, Pranab, is drawn to an
American lifestyle, but eventually feels a sense of loss as he
distances himself from his Bengali heritage.
On the other hand, alienation refers to the feeling of being
disconnected or isolated from one's surroundings or from
others. The characters in Unaccustomed Earth often
experience a sense of alienation as they try to navigate a new
culture that may be vastly different from their own. This can
result in feelings of loneliness, isolation, and even a loss of
identity. For instance, in the story "Only Goodness," the
protagonist, Sudha, feels alienated as she struggles with the
expectations placed on her by her Indian family and the
challenges of her American life.
Lahiri's portrayal of assimilation and alienation in
Unaccustomed Earth reflects the complexities and
challenges faced by immigrants and their descendants as
they try to find their place in a new cultural environment.
The stories highlight the internal conflicts, dilemmas, and
emotional struggles that arise from the clash of cultures and
the longing for acceptance and belonging. Through her
characters, Lahiri explores the nuanced experiences of
immigrants and the tension between assimilation and the
preservation of cultural identity, shedding light on the
multifaceted nature of the immigrant experience.
CULTURAL DISPLACEMENT IN UNACCUSTOMED
EARTH
One of the prominent themes in Lahiri's Unaccustomed
Earth is the cultural displacement experienced by the
characters as immigrants or children of immigrants. Lahiri
portrays how the characters struggle with a sense of
dislocation, feeling torn between their Indian heritage and
their American surroundings. They are often caught in a
state of in-betweenness, where they do not fully belong to
either culture, and this leads to a search for their own
identity.
One way in which cultural displacement is depicted in
Unaccustomed Earth is through the portrayal of
generational differences. Lahiri often presents the contrast
between the experiences of immigrant parents and their
American-born children. The older generation, represented
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Kumar and Sushil A Discourse on Diaspora: Exploring Identity and Alienation in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
by characters like Ashima and Ashoke in the story The
Namesake, may cling to their traditional customs, language,
and values, while the younger generation, such as Gogol and
Sonia, assimilates into American culture. This generational
gap can create a sense of cultural displacement for the
younger characters who are caught between their parents'
expectations and the American way of life. Lahiri portrays
the conflicts and struggles that arise from these generational
differences, such as the tension between arranged marriages
and individual choice, the clash of traditional gender roles
with modern expectations, and the challenges of navigating
dual cultural identities.
For instance, in the story "Hell-Heaven," the protagonist,
Pranab, is a young Bengali immigrant who struggles to
reconcile his Indian identity with his American lifestyle.
Pranab is drawn to the American way of life and becomes
infatuated with an American woman, Deborah, which
creates a sense of discomfort and alienation within his
Bengali community. Pranab's mother, Aparna, represents
the older generation that holds on to traditional Bengali
values and is critical of Pranab's choices. Pranab's desire to
embrace American culture and his strained relationship with
his mother highlight the conflict between his Indian heritage
and his American aspirations, leading to a search for his
identity.
GENERATION GAP AND TRANSNATIONAL
IDENTITY IN UNACCUSTOMED EARTH
Jhumpa Lahiri depicts the tensions and misunderstandings
that often arise between first-generation immigrants and
their American-born children. The older generation, who are
often deeply rooted in their native culture and traditions,
struggle to understand the choices and lifestyles of their
Americanized children, who may embrace different values,
beliefs, and ways of life. The clash of values and
expectations between generations leads to a sense of
disorientation and estrangement, highlighting the
challenges of reconciling cultural differences within a
family context.
Another important theme in Unaccustomed Earth is
transnational identity, which refers to the complex sense of
self that emerges when individuals navigate multiple
cultural and national identities. Many characters in Lahiri's
stories struggle with questions of belonging, as they grapple
with their dual identities as immigrants and Americans or as
individuals with ties to both their home country and their
adopted country. This is evident in stories like "Only
Goodness," where Sudha, a first-generation Bengali
immigrant, feels torn between her loyalty to her family in
India and her desire for independence and self-
determination in the United States. Lahiri portrays the
IJELS-2023, 8(2), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.82.39
complexities of transnational identity as characters navigate
the expectations and pressures from both their native culture
and the American culture they now inhabit, often feeling
like they do not fully belong in either.
Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth also explores the concept of
cultural assimilation and the tension between assimilation
and preservation of cultural heritage. Lahiri presents
characters who grapple with the desire to assimilate into
American culture while also maintaining their cultural
roots, often facing conflicts and dilemmas along the way.
This struggle is depicted in stories like The Namesake,
where Gogol, a second-generation Indian-American, tries to
reconcile his Indian heritage with his American identity, and
"Nobody's Business," where Sang, a Vietnamese immigrant,
grapples with her American-born daughter's rejection of
their native language. The tension between assimilation and
cultural preservation highlights the complexities of
navigating identity in a transnational context.
Unaccustomed Earth delves deeply into the themes of
generation gap and transnational identity, portraying the
challenges, conflicts, and complexities that arise when
immigrants and their children grapple with their sense of
self, cultural heritage, and belonging in a new cultural
context. Through her poignant and empathetic storytelling,
Lahiri sheds light on the struggles, dilemmas, and nuances
of the immigrant experience, providing readers with a
deeper understanding of the human condition and the
complexities of identity formation in a transnational world.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth is a
compelling work of literature that delves into the complex
themes of diasporic discourse, identity, and alienation.
Through her rich storytelling and vivid characters, Lahiri
portrays the challenges and struggles faced by immigrants
and their descendants as they navigate the complexities of
cultural displacement and the search for identity.
Lahiri's exploration of diasporic discourse in Unaccustomed
Earth highlights the tension between assimilation and
maintaining cultural heritage. The characters in the book are
caught between two worlds, grappling with the expectations
of their traditional upbringing and the realities of their new
environment. They often face conflicts and dilemmas as
they negotiate their dual identities, feeling a sense of
belonging to neither their home country nor their adopted
country.
The theme of identity is also central to the novel, as Lahiri
portrays how the characters' sense of self is shaped by their
cultural background and their experiences as immigrants.
The characters struggle with questions of self-acceptance,
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self-discovery, and self-determination, as they seek to

define their place in the world and reconcile their multiple
cultural influences.
Moreover, the concept of alienation is prevalent throughout
the book, as Lahiri portrays the characters' sense of
detachment and dislocation from their surroundings. They
often feel like outsiders in their adopted country, as well as
in their home country, experiencing a sense of estrangement
and isolation. Lahiri depicts how this alienation affects their
relationships, their interactions with others, and their
perception of the world around them.
Overall, Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth offers a profound
exploration of diasporic discourse, identity, and alienation.
Through her masterful storytelling, Lahiri sheds light on the
challenges and complexities faced by immigrants and their
descendants as they navigate the complexities of cultural
displacement, and the search for self and belonging. Her
work serves as a poignant reflection on the universal human
experience of grappling with questions of identity,
belonging, and alienation in a rapidly changing world.

REFERENCES
[1] Lahiri, Jhumpa. Unaccustomed Earth. Vintage Books, 2009.
[2] Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Boston: Houghton Miffin,
2003.
[3] Rayaprol, Aparna. Negotiating Identities Women in the
Indian Diaspora, OUP, 1997.
[4] Mishra, Sudesh. “From Sugar to Masala: Writing by the
Indian Diaspora.” An Illustrated History of Indian Literature
in English, edited by Arvind Krishana Mehrotra, Permanent
Black, 2003.
[5] Manjit Inder Singh, Contemporary Diasporic Literature:
Writing History, Culture, Self. Pencraft International, 2007.
[6] Pathak, R.S. Introduction: Quest for Identity in Indian
English Writing. New Delhi: Bahri, 1992.

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