Abstract
Bharati Mukherjee is a writer who explores through her fiction the meaning of life. She deals with the problems of the Indian immigrants mainly women, and the problem of cross-cultural crisis and the ultimate search for identity. In the novel Jasmine, Mukherjee takes up the theme of search for identity, writing how the female protagonist tries to tackle the problem of loss of culture and endeavours to assume a new identity in the U.S.
Jasmine’s Journey of Self-Discovery
The main protagonist Jasmine’s search for identity began from the day she was born as Jyoti in the village of Hasnapur. She was predicted of widowhood and exile by an astrologer when she was only seven years old. She always tried to raise herself above blind beliefs and superstition. She achieved a part of her dream by marrying Prakash, who gave her a new name: Jasmine. But her husband was killed by fundamentalists on the eve of their departure for America.
Transformation in America
Jasmine went to America on a forged passport. After being raped by Half-Face, she killed him by becoming Kali personified. She met Lilian Gordon who educated her and strengthened her will to survive. Working in Manhattan, her name was changed from Jasmine to Jase. She absorbed the alien culture and gained confidence about her personality. Later in Iowa, she became “Jane” while living with Bud Ripplemayer.
Conclusion
At last Jasmine was out of bonds and had gained her true self. Her journey to America is a process of her quest of true self. Jasmine realizes that the true identity of a person does not lie in being an Indian or an American but it lies in the inner spirit of the person to be at peace with herself.
Works Cited
- Indira, S. 1996. “Jasmine: An Odyssey of Unhousement and Enhousement” in The Fiction of Bharati Mukherjee. R.K. Dhawan (ed.), New Delhi: Prestige Books.
- Mukherjee, Bharati. 1990. Jasmine. New Delhi: Viking, Penguin India.
- Roy, Sumita. 1996. Jasmine: Exile as Spiritual Quest in The Fiction of Bharati Mukherjee, R.K. Dhawan (ed.), New Delhi: Prestige Books.
- Piciucco, Pier Paolo (ed.). 2004. A Companion to Indian Fiction in English. Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors.