Diaspora- Redefined as in Divakaruni’s the Mistress of Spices

Abstract

Through this paper, my attempt is to establish The Mistress of Spices as an important novel depicting the various complexities inherent in Indian immigrants to establish cultural identity in America and not that enough, suggesting possible solution too. The theme analysis of the paper includes inner conflict of duty versus love in Tilo – the protagonist’s life, issues relating to the survival of the immigrant Indians in America, and their search for identity. The novel from the voice of Tilo and the other characters traces the nuances of Indian heritage as well their new found way of lives in an alien country where they struggle to survive for a better life: equally at home and at the same time homeless. They underscore this unique situation, navigate the cultural borders and hence, there exists a feasibility of hybrid identity or global identity – an amalgam of both cultures fabricating and redefining one’s identity and thus, a positive scope for livelihood in a foreign land is manifested. While other diaspora authors consciously examine the replica of cultural shock and dilemma they find overseas, it is Divakaruni who gives a decisive outlook that redefines diaspora in a different shade of light.