Roots, routes and pursuits : examining the second-generation immigrant identity crisis in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and unaccustomed earth

Abstract

Instead of contributing to existing criticism on first-generation immigrant identity and diaspora, this thesis studies the second-generation immigrant identity crisis in The Namesake and Unaccustomed Earth. Chapter one of my thesis will attempt to further use established threads of thought to firstly, highlight the differences between the first and second-generation immigrant diaspora and secondly, show how second-generation immigrants attempt to deal with their identity crisis. My second chapter will then argue that their struggle, tension, and restlessness may be alleviated through the notion of a symbolic “return.” This necessitates a reconnection with their Bengali roots in order to reclaim and better understand the past that they are inherently a part of.