Multiculturalism - Igcollege.org

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Proceedings of National Seminar on Postmodern Literary Theory and Literature , Jan. 27-28, 2012, Nandedethnicity and language. It is these differenceswhich lead to clashes pluralistic view relies onan understanding that stems from race, genderand class. Multiculturalism is recognition ofdiversity of cultural differences which exist in apluralistic society and an endorsement of asociety in which individuals of all cultures areaccepted and accorded respect. The protagonistsof the Mulk Anand are the victims ofdiscrimination on the basis of the caste. Theupper caste and status people refuse to help tothe needy for example the Collector in the ‘TheParrot in the Cage’ refuses to help the oldwoman. The another cause is that they do notwish to touch the stones touched by the lowercastes for example the character of Rukmani in‘The Parrot in the Cage’ The evils of the classsystem reinforced by the British are not muchbetter than the caste system. The story of oneeyedDevaki Nandan Pandey in ‘TheDreamer’has been suffering the same questionbut the Visitor another character treated himgood when he understand the story of the child.This is due to the inherent strength of Indiansociety made resilient by multiculturalism. Theability to accommodate the diverse and also atthe same time assimilate it into the core culture.We must take care that the various componentsof multiculturalism are used to strengthen anddisintegrate society.References:Anand, M. R. The Lost Child and OtherStories, London, J.A. Allen, 1934.--------- The Tractor and The Corn Goddess,and Other Stories. Bombay, Thacker, 1947.------------ Lajawanti and Other Stories,Jaico Publication House, Bombay, 1966.----------- Selected Short Stories of Mulk RajAnand, edited by M.K. Naik. New Delhi,Arnold-Heinemann, 1977.Longman, Longman Dictionary ofContemporary English. Third ed.England, 1998.Watson, C.W. Multiculturalism, Viva BooksPvt.Ltd.,New Delhi, 2002.499 PLTL-2012: ISBN 978-81-920120-0-1
Proceedings of National Seminar on Postmodern Literary Theory and Literature , Jan. 27-28, 2012, NandedJhumpa Lahirie’s The Namsake: A Diasporic Articulation andMulticulturalism--Wankhede P. J.& Gore C. M.SSG Col. Of Eng. & Tech.,Shahpur, Thane (MS)Abstract: Jhumpa Lahiri (1967) Pulitzer Prize-Winner author of ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ and ‘The Namesake’. As, a daughterof Indian immigrant family, from her childhood she experienced with the various conflicts and the concept of rootlessness andcultural identity. In her works she tries to focus on the struggle of immigrants for the real identity in that world where she hasgiven various identities one is related to the roots and others are related to birth. The people migrates from their root is not onlyfor the American Dream or greater opportunities or the standard of living but it is a demand of time. Time is major part of allthese activities in human life.The Namesake is presentation of cultural variations in the life of Indian immigrant couple Ashoke and AshimaGangualy from Calcutta. The novel opens with the entry of Ashima , who stand in the kitchen and trying to make some spicyIndian snack by using American combinations of salt, lemon and thin slice of green chili paper. But when she tastes it, she comesto know that there is something missing in it. Through the condition of Ashima Gangualy Jhumpa Lahiri trying to focus on thecondition of an Indian immigrant. They are struggling to understand the new taste of the new culture and trying to find out thescope of individual in the universe. The condition of human being is invisible like the protagonist of the novel ‘Gogol’; who isidentified as ABCD explains as American Born Confused Desis.IEdward W.Said observed that the exileis “the unsalable rift forced between a humanbeing a native place, between the self and itstrue home: its essential sadness can never besurmounted.” 1 The phenomenon of diaspora hasgrown by leaps and bounds in the wake ofglobalization, privatization and liberalization. Itis the human nature and changing flow of thetime which makes the globe multicultural. Theword diaspora originally applied for the Jewishmigration from their homeland has come to beused more or less loosely as an inclusive termwhich is applied as “metaphoric designations’(Safran 83-89) for all displaced peopleimmigrant,exiles, expatriates, emigrants,homeless individual and refugees. Theuprooting, unsettlement and lack of satisfactionin that second world due to the social, political,religious and geographical change. This changegives birth to the multicultural society.Traditionally, diaspora as a translocation identityrelies on the idea of home that has been leftbehind or lies elsewhere (Jigna Desai-19). Thestruggle of immigrants for the real identity inthat world has given birth to various identities,one is related to the roots and others are relatedto other world. The people migrates from theirroot is not only for the American Dream orgreater opportunities or the standard of livingbut it is a demand of time. Migration is the maincause of multiple identity and multi-culturegives birth to Multiculturalism.Multiculturalism may be defined as reaching outto both the native-born and newcomers, indeveloping lasting relationships among ethnicand religious communities. It encourages thesecommunities to participate fully in society byenhancing their level of economic, social, andcultural integration into the host culture(s). 2II"No country is my motherland. I always findmyself in exile in whichever country I travelto, that's why I was tempted to writesomething about those living their lives inexile"500 PLTL-2012: ISBN 978-81-920120-0-1
Page 1 and 2: Proceedings of National Seminar on
Page 46: Proceedings of National Seminar on

Multiculturalism - Igcollege.org

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?