A Postcolonial Exploration of Chronotropic Identity in Lara Zuberi’s The Lost Pearl

Abstract

The present study is an investigation of the novel The Lost Pearl (2012) by Lara Zuberi from the perspective of postcolonial theory involving diasporic chronotropes by Bakhtin (1981), Bhabha’s (1994) concept of hybridity and Caruth’s (1996) theory of trauma. The study explored the effects of traumatic events on the life and psychological development of the protagonist, Sana. The study embarks on a descriptive inquiry to unravel the complex dynamics of hybrid identities in the context of diaspora communities. The narrative unfolds a poignant saga of relationships, cultures, and belongings, epitomized through the protagonist Sana's journey. The themes of hybridity and diasporic identity are interwoven along with the consideration of the chronotopic cycles throughout her life. The study highlighted how memory, culture and language play their role in the homeland and new-land cultural identity of Diasporas. It is significant to explore the role of the present and the past in the hybrid identity of the diaspora people in postcolonial discourse. By default, the diaspora people hang in between their present and past. The former connects them to new cultural identity, whereas the later connects them to their indigenous cultural identity. As a result, they are a hybrid product as a diaspora. So, the study is aimed at exploring the conflict between physical and mental chronotropes i.e. the homeland identity and the new-land identity of the characters. Moreover, the study explored the role of cultural diversity in shaping the ideologies and cultural values of Diasporas. The study was also focused on the psychological trauma that the diaspora suffers in the newly acquired culture.  

Key Words: Diaspora, Chronotrope, Hybrid identity, Psychological Trauma