Published Paper Details:

Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland explores the complexities of cultural identity, displacement, and acculturation through the experiences of its characters, particularly Bela, the daughter of Indian immigrants. The novel delves into themes of cultural estrangement and hybridity, examining how Bela navigates her dual heritage as a second-generation immigrant in the United States. Drawing on W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of double consciousness, the analysis highlights Bela's internal conflict as she struggles to reconcile her Indian roots with her American upbringing. Her fragmented identity is further compounded by her mother Gauri's abandonment and her father Subhash's emotional distance, leaving her culturally adrift. The novel also embodies postmodern themes, such as fragmented narratives and the rejection of traditional structures, as seen in Bela's rootless existence and her defiance of familial and societal expectations. Through Bela's journey, Lahiri underscores the fluidity of identity in a globalized world, where cultural belonging is neither fixed nor singular. The study concludes that The Lowland portrays identity as a mosaic of experiences, shaped by dislocation, multicultural influences, and the absence of cohesive cultural anchors.