Mobility, Identity, and Belonging in a Globalized World: Understanding the Modern Nomad in Bye-Bye Blackbird

Mobility, Identity, and Belonging in a Globalized World: Understanding the Modern Nomad in Bye-Bye Blackbird

P. Preethika Jenifer
Dr. V.S.Shakila

This paper examines the themes of mobility, identity, and belonging in Anita Desai’s Bye-Bye Blackbird through the lens of modern-day nomadism, focusing on postcolonial migration and globalization. The paper explores how characters like Dev and Adit experience cultural displacement and identity crises as they navigate life in a foreign land, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by contemporary digital nomads. By analyzing the psychological and emotional impacts of constant mobility, the paper reveals how these characters, much like digital nomads, struggle with feelings of loneliness and rootlessness. Furthermore, it investigates their search for belonging and stability in an ever-changing, globalized world. The study highlights how Desai’s portrayal of migration resonates with the experiences of those living a transient, mobile lifestyle in the digital age. Finally, the paper provides insights into the existential and emotional challenges that come with both modern and traditional mobility.

Keywords: Mobility, Identity, Belonging, Postcolonial Migration, Digital Nomadism.