Quest for identity in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s queen of dreams

and Jhumpa Lahiri’s the name’s sake

A Literature Review

Made by Team 10
ABSTRACT: This literature review analyses the quest for identity portrayed in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s
Queen of Dreams and Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake. It examines the themes of cultural identity, familial
relationships, and self-discovery in the novels. The review highlights the importance of these themes in
shaping the protagonists’ sense of self and their journey towards finding their true identity. By exploring the
different strategies used by the protagonists to navigate their identity, the review provides insight into the
complexities of identity and its role in shaping individual lives.

Key Words: Identity, Characters, Characterization, Protagonist, Complexities.

INTRODUCTION
Identity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses one’s culture, ethnicity, gender, and religion, among
other things. It is a vital part of an individual’s sense of self and determines how one perceives themselves
and their place in the world. However, the quest for identity is not always an easy one, especially for those
who find themselves straddling two cultures, as is often the case for immigrants. Immigrantsoften
struggle to reconcile their cultural heritage with their new environment, leading to a search for their true
identity.
In Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s Queen of Dreams and Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, the protagonists
embark on a journey towards self-discovery and understanding their cultural identity. The novels explore
the complexities of familial relationships and the role they play in shaping one’s identity. Through their
experiences and struggles, the protagonists navigate the complexities of their identity and seek to find a
place where they feel they truly belong.
Cultural Identity in Queen of Dreams and The Namesake:
Both novels delve into the theme of cultural identity and the complexities of navigating cultural
differences. In Queen of Dreams, the protagonist Rakhi is a first-generation Indian-American who
struggles to reconcile her Indian heritage with her American upbringing. She feels disconnected from her
roots and seeks to understand the traditions and culture of her ancestors.Likewise, in The Namesake,
Gogol, the protagonist, is tornbetween his Indian heritage and his American lifestyle. The novel explores
the struggles he faces in reconciling his cultural identity with his surroundings, as he tries to navigate the
expectations of his Bengali parents and the American society he is living in.
LITERATURE REVIEW

Familial Relationships:
The novels also emphasize the role of familial relationships in shaping one’s identity. In Queen of Dreams,
Rakhi’s relationship with her mother is strained, as her mother constantly tries to impose her cultural
values on Rakhi. However, as the novel progresses, Rakhi begins to understand the significance of her
mother’s traditions and values, and comes to appreciate them.

Similarly, in The Namesake, Gogol’s relationship with his parents is complex, as he tries to find a balance
between his Indian heritage and American upbringing. The novel explores the importance of familial
relationships in shaping one’s identity, as Gogol navigates the expectations and traditions of his Bengali
parents, while also trying to forge his own path.

The Importance of Dreams:

In Queen of Dreams, the protagonist Rakhi is a dream interpreter, and the novel places significant
emphasis on the importance of dreams in understanding one’s identity. Through her interpretation of
dreams, Rakhi gains insight into her own past and experiences, and comes to

understand the significance of her cultural heritage. The novel suggests that dreams can reveal a deeper
understanding of one’s identity and the role that cultural traditions play in shaping it.
After the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, but Gogol himself struggles with the significance of the name and
its ties to his Indian heritage. The novel suggests that names and dreams can reveal a deeper
understanding of one’s identity and the complexities of cultural heritage.

Comparing the two extracts:

In "Queen of Dreams," Divakaruni explores the search for identity through the experiences of Rakhi, a
second-generation Indian-American. Rakhi feels disconnected from her Indian heritage and struggles to
reconcile it with her American identity. Her search for identity is manifested through her dreams, which
she believes are messages from her deceased father. Divakaruni's use of dreams is particularly effective in
conveying the inner turmoil and conflict that Rakhi experiences. Through her dreams, Rakhi attempts to
understand her past, which she believes will help her navigate her present.

Rakhi's mother, Nirmala, also struggles with her identity as an immigrant. Nirmala's identity is tied to her
past in India, and she often feels out of place in the United States. She tries to connect with her daughter
through traditional Indian customs and beliefs, but Rakhi rejects them, feeling more American than
Indian. Divakaruni depicts the cultural tension between mother and daughter, highlighting the challenges
of navigating between two cultures.

Similarly, in "The Namesake," Lahiri explores the search for identity through the experiences of Gogol, a
second-generation Bengali-American. Gogol's parents, Ashoke and Ashima, immigrated to the United
States from India and struggle to reconcile their cultural heritage with their American identity. Gogol's
search for identity is manifested in his rejection of his Bengali name and his desire to assimilate into
American culture. Lahiri's use of cultural symbolism, such as the significance of names in Bengali culture,
highlights the cultural tension that Gogol experiences.

Gogol's parents also struggle with their identity as immigrants, particularly with their connection to their
homeland. They try to pass on their cultural traditions and beliefs to their children, but their efforts are
often met with resistance. Lahiri depicts the challenges of preserving cultural identity in a foreign land,
and the complexities of navigating between two cultures.

Both Divakaruni and Lahiri use literary devices such as dreams, flashbacks, and cultural symbolism to
explore the theme of identity. These literary devices provide insight into the inner thoughts and feelings
of their characters and help to depict the complexities of navigating between two cultures. In "Queen of
Dreams," Divakaruni uses dreams to convey the inner conflict and turmoil that Rakhi experiences, and in
"The Namesake," Lahiri uses flashbacks to explore the experiences of Gogol's parents as immigrants. The
use of cultural symbolism in both novels highlights the cultural tension that the characters experience,
and the challenges of reconciling their cultural heritage with their American identity.

CONCLUDING REMARKS
Queen of Dreams and The Namesake both explore the search for identity and the complexities of
navigating cultural differences. The novels emphasize the importance of familial relationships and the
role they play in shaping one’s identity. They also suggest that dreams and names hold significant
meaning and can offer insight into one’s cultural heritage and identity.
Through the experiences and struggles of the protagonists, the novels highlight the difficulties that first-
generation immigrants often face in reconciling their cultural heritage with their new surroundings.
However, they also emphasize the importance of embracing one’s cultural identity and the significance of
familial traditions and values.
Overall, Queen of Dreams and The Namesake offer powerful insights into the complexities of cultural
identity and the search for self-discovery. As individuals continue to navigate the challenges of cultural
differences and identity, these novels provide valuable perspective and guidance for those seeking to
understand and embrace their own cultural heritage.
REFERENCES
1. Divakaruni, C. B. (2004). Queen of Dreams. New York: Anchor Books.
2. Lahiri, J. (2003). The Namesake. Boston