Identity In Flux: A Critical Study Of Bharti Mukherjee

Abstract

Bharti Mukherjee is a prominent expatriate woman writer in the post-colonial era, whose literary works vividly capture the ethos and sentiments of American society through the lens of immigrants. Her novels provide a poignant portrayal of the nomadic aspirations of Indians who, driven by the pursuit of a more prosperous life, make the journey to the West. In doing so, they grapple with the challenges of adaptation that ultimately culminate in assimilation. What sets Mukherjee apart from her contemporaries is her optimistic perspective on the immigrant experience. She envisions a path toward modernity and cosmopolitanism, advocating for mutual assimilation and acculturation not just for herself but also for the characters in her fictional universe. Mukherjee's body of work charts a progressive journey, starting with the theme of expatriation and gradually transitioning towards immigration, resulting in a nuanced portrayal of acculturation. This paper aims to trace the evolution of Mukherjee's identity as a writer, as depicted in her novels "The Tiger's Daughter", "Wife", and "Jasmine". These literary works chronicle the profound journey of her characters, from initial feelings of alienation to the challenging process of adjustment, ultimately leading to successful adaptation within their new and unfamiliar surroundings.