Study of Diasporic Elements in Select Novels of Abdulrazak Gurnah

Author : Dr. Jaya Dwivedi, Sushmitha P. A, Architaa Dubey

Abstract :This study examines Abdulrazak Gurnah's position as a diasporic author, focusing on three of his significant novels, Admiring Silence (1996), By the Sea (2001) and The Last Gift (2011). Gurnah's works provides a close study of the difficulties of migration, identity, and belonging, particularly within the framework of post-colonial Africa and the experiences of the African diaspora. Drawing from his personal experience as a Tanzanian-born migrant to the United Kingdom, Gurnah offers a nuanced perspective on diaspora that surpasses conventional representations of exile. The paper examines selected Gurnah’s fiction through the lens of diaspora studies, and how his narratives reflect the themes of marginalization and the psychological effects of migration. Employing a qualitative literary analysis informed by post-colonial theory, particularly the works of Homi K. Bhabha and Edward Said, the study focuses on Gurnah's use of hybridity and the “Other” to portray the fluid nature of diasporic identity. The findings suggest that Gurnah’s characters often face alienation, yet their experiences highlight the dynamic nature of identity formation in a globalized, post colonial world. His works demonstrate how migration leads to continuous negotiations of cultural heritage and belonging. Gurnah’s writing offers critical insight into the complexities of diasporic life, illustrating the evolving nature of identity amidst the intersections of race, history, and the experience of exile.

Keywords :Displacement, Post-Colonialism, Migration, Hybridity, Exile, Belonging.

Conference Name :International Conference on English and American Studies (ICEAS-25)

Conference Place Berlin, Germany

Conference Date 10th Oct 2025