From Xenophobia to Enlightenment amidst Transculturation: Rereading of Monica Ali’s In the Kitchen

Abstract

The chronicle of human migration is as old as human civilization which goes back to prehistoric time when it started flourishing in ancient Africa. The main cause behind such migrations is to have a greater opportunity for life which enfolds economic, political, social and demographic factors. But, in the course of time, the immigration has gradually become a challenging issue since it has deep-rooted connection with culture and identity. The entire process involves alienation, loss, anxiety, insecurity in the minds of the immigrants as well as the indigenous people. The present study will showcase the effect of globalization and modernization on the nations and their subjects keeping in mind the burning issue of immigration across the globe. In order to have a better understanding of one’s individuation process, the present paper will address sociological, psychological, and multicultural issues against the backdrop of xenophobia as depicted by Monica Ali in her third novel In the Kitchen. But the main focus of the present study is to demonstrate how it affects and helps in rebuilding the identity of those belonging originally to the homeland.