A Quest for Identity in the Digital World: A Study of Jhumpa Lahiri's Novel The Namesake

Abstract

This research is about the identity crisis of the second-generation South Asian migrants in digital world through novel describes life a boy named Gogol Ganguli whose parents are Indians residing in the United States. struggles with his culture, name, and sense of belonging. Although a lot of literature has explored the experiences and struggles of first-generation migrants, there has been very little research done on second-generation migrants, who exist in-between two worlds. This research employs digital identity theory to study how the online world and spaces can influence cultural identity, belonging, and nostalgia among individuals like Gogol. The research is founded on the works of Stuart Hall, Homi Bhabha, Jennifer Brinkerhoff, and Sherry Turkle to comprehend hybrid identity, third space, and digital belonging. The novel will be studied through qualitative textual analysis and Gogol’s life journey will be compared to the second-generation migrants that can use digital platforms nowadays. This research aims to describe the identity that the digital world creates in modern times and how it can help migrants reconnect with their heritage. It will enrich migration studies, literature, and discussions on identity in the globalized world.