The Poetics of Displacement: Reimagining Home, Exile, and Belonging in Diasporic Literature

Dr. Arunesh Varma
Assistant Professor, Department of English and Cultural Studies,
Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

Journal: International Journal of Global Humanities and Management Insights
Volume: 1 | Issue: 3
DOI: 10.63665/ijghmi-y1f3a001

Received: 07 June 2025
Accepted: 20 June 2025
Published: 05 July 2025
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Abstract

Diasporic writing redefines "home" and "exile" as fluid, culturally constructed spaces rather than fixed locations. Through non-linear narratives, multilingualism, and poetic strategies, it expresses the emotional complexity of displacement. Drawing on postcolonial theory, the study highlights how literature navigates identity, memory, and belonging while creating hybrid cultural spaces.

Keywords

Diaspora, Displacement, Exile, Belonging, Hybridity, Home, Identity, Narrative Strategies, Memory

1. Introduction

Diaspora has emerged as a central theme in literature, reflecting migration, cultural exchange, and identity negotiation. Writers explore tensions between homeland memory and adaptation, portraying both alienation and creativity in displacement.

2. Theoretical Framework

The study draws on postcolonial theory including Bhabha’s hybridity, Stuart Hall’s identity theory, and Edward Said’s concept of exile to analyze diasporic narratives as spaces of cultural negotiation.

3. Displacement and Sense of Home

Home is represented as a fluid, symbolic space shaped by memory and imagination. Diasporic literature redefines belonging through emotional and cultural negotiation across borders.

4. Exile and Identity Formation

Exile influences psychological and cultural identity. Literature depicts alienation, hybridity, and evolving selfhood through fragmented narratives and memory-based storytelling.

5. Narrative Strategies

Non-linear storytelling, multilingualism, symbolism, and poetic imagery are used to represent displacement and identity. These techniques capture the complexity of diasporic experience.

6. Conclusion

Diasporic literature challenges fixed notions of home and identity, offering new perspectives on belonging in a globalized world while emphasizing ethical and cultural continuity.

References

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