Mapping Spatialities of Home: A Study of The Immigrant by Manju Kapur

Abstract

Focusing on theories from Post colonialism, the study analyses the complexities and contradictions inherent in the notion of home, particularly for migrants and diasporic communities. This paper explores the concept of home through the lens of diaspora studies and spatial theories. This paper examines how Manju Kapur's novel is analysed to illustrate the multifaceted experiences of immigrants, including feelings of alienation, loss, and the struggle to forge new identities. It explores how Nina, the protagonist, confronts the challenges of adapting to a new life in Canada, highlighting the emotional and social complexities of the immigrant experience. This paper serves as a poignant exploration of the transformative potential of migration. By depicting Nina's journey of self-discovery, Kapur underscores the multifaceted nature of home and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of displacement.  The paper argues that Nina's sense of home transcends a fixed location, instead of being constructed through relationships, experiences, and a continuous process of negotiation. The paper examines how Nina, the protagonist, grapples with her dual identity as an Indian woman in Canada. The abstract argues that home cannot be understood as a singular, static entity. Rather, it is a dynamic process constructed through relationships, memories, and the negotiation of space. Diasporic experiences disrupt traditional notions of home, prompting a focus on the "third space" – a liminal space of transformation and possibility. The analysis highlights how Nina attempts to create a new sense of home through her relationships, education, and personal growth. The conclusion suggests that Nina's journey is one of continuous transformation, where home becomes less about a physical location and more about a sense of self-discovery and agency within a globalized world.

Keywords: Post colonialism, home, identity, immigrant experiences, transformation

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/104-01

Publication date: January 30th 2025