Mapping Displacement and Belonging: A Study of Diaspora Consciousness in Amitav Ghosh's Novels, The Glass Palace and The Hungry Tide

Abstract:

The diaspora experience, marked by displacement, cultural hybridity, and the search for belonging, has been a recurring theme in postcolonial literature. This research paper, explores how Ghosh’s novels reflect diaspora sensibilities through narratives of migration, identity, and memory. The study aims to analyse how Ghosh portrays the psychological and cultural struggles of displaced communities, while also examining the broader implications of diaspora in a globalised world. The primary objective of this research is to investigate how Ghosh’s works capture the complexities of diaspora existence, whether through historical dislocation in The Glass Palace or ecological and cultural displacement in The Hungry Tide. Employing textual analysis as the key research methodology, the study closely examines themes of home, exile, cross-cultural encounters, and resistance within the selected novels. Additionally, the research draws upon postcolonial and diaspora theories, particularly the works of scholars such as Stuart Hall, Homi Bhabha, and Avtar Brah, to contextualize Ghosh’s narratives within broader theoretical frameworks. The scope of the study extends beyond mere literary analysis; it also engages with socio-historical and geopolitical factors that shape diaspora identities. Comparing the two novels, the research highlights Ghosh’s nuanced portrayal of diaspora, not just as a condition of loss but also as a space of reinvention and resilience. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on diaspora literature by demonstrating how Ghosh’s fiction serves as a powerful medium for understanding migration, memory, and the enduring quest for belonging in an interconnected yet fragmented world.