THE PHENOMENA OF DIASPORA AND CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY IN MOHSIN HAMID’S EXIT WEST

Abstract

This research paper aims to investigate the complexities of diaspora as a social constructed and its implications for individual identity. The paper begins by conceptualizing the idea of diaspora through various theorists, contextualizing it within the broader framework of contemporary phenomena of migration, specifically in the light of a displacement that imposed due to a longstanding conflict. It emphasizes that those individuals that are uprooted by extreme violence, as portrayed in Mohsin Hamid’s novel Exit West, often carry the memories of their homeland, reflecting a deep-seated longing for belonging and identity. The narrative of Hamid’s narrative reveals the multifaceted challenges faced by the protagonists, Saeed and Nadia, as they navigate their cultural identities within the realities of foreign territories. Through a review of existing literature, the paper attempts of highlight themes in Exit West related to technology, representation and the human condition amidst the crisis of migration. The scholars argue that the realities of diaspora stem not only from personal but are also socially constructed group identity, collective memory, and community bonds established among people. This paper identifies a significant research gap in scholarship regarding the construction of cultural and national identities within the context of diaspora in Exit West. By exploring the diverse identity journeys of the protagonists, this paper articulates how migration influences the ongoing evolution of cultural identities and highlights the inherent fluidity of such identities within diaspora experiences.