Cultural Identity and Intergenerational Dynamics in Diaspora: A Comparative Analysis of Divakaruni and Lahiri

Abstract

The present research is a comparative study of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Queen of Dreams. This study highlights how cultural identity shapes, maintains, and evolves within diasporic communities. The struggle of the first-generation diaspora in preserving their cultural traditions and values on foreign soil and the dilemma of the second generation in balancing their cultural background with their upbringing forms the central theme of this research. While the first generation creates an 'imaginary homeland’ to cope with their longing for home, the second generation seeks to establish a new identity influenced by their surroundings. The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by members of diaspora communities while attempting to reconcile their cultural heritage with newly encountered cultures. A methodology involving in-depth analysis, close examination, and interpretation was used to achieve this goal.