Abstract

Re-emergence of Globalization and Nationalism in the works of Jhumpa Lahiri

Dr Neha

Volume: 16 Issue: 1 2026

Abstract:

This paper explores the complex intersections of nationalism, diaspora, multiculturalism, and transnational identity, with a particular focus on Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake. It examines how historical, cultural, and political forces shape individual and collective identities, especially within diasporic communities navigating displacement and cultural negotiation. Through the lens of postcolonial theory, U.S. ethnic studies, and feminist scholarship, the study analyzes how Lahiri’s characters, particularly Ashima Ganguli, balance the preservation of Bengali traditions with adaptation to American society, thereby negotiating hybrid identities across borders. The paper also situates these narratives within broader frameworks of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism, highlighting the tension between cultural continuity and globalized modernity. Ultimately, the work argues that transnational mobility enables cultural agency, allowing individuals to create fluid, hybrid identities that transcend rigid national and cultural boundaries, and that literature functions as a vital medium to explore, preserve, and reinterpret diasporic experiences.

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