The Study of Cosmopolitan Aspects in Desai's The Inheritance of Loss.

Abstract

The present study interrogates cosmopolitan aspects in Desai's novel The Inheritance of Loss. Major characters of the novel i.e. Jemu Bhai Popatlal, Sai, Gyan and Biju, have the view that this globe is kòsmospòlis, God's Empire. Like Cynic, they think that this globe is their country and they are kosmopolites (a citizen of the world) but this perception leads them to suffer a lot and in many ways. The main cause of their suffering is their migration from their native countries to the developed countries of the world. Migration from India to United States of America or any other European country effects the identity of these immigrants. All the major characters of the novel face the calamity of 'othering' while they migrate from their country to the European countries, just because of their roots, skin color and accent. In order to shun all these effects off, they mimic the norms and values of the modern cultures. They even shun off and resist the values and norms of their culture but of no avail. As a result of all these efforts, they secure a de-contextualized identity. Homi K. Bhabha’s theory “Of Mimicry and Man” has been utilized by the researcher to trace the cosmopolitan elements from the novel. Bhabha suggests mimicry as a symbol of "productivity of colonial powers, its shifting forces and fixities". The process of domination got reversed through denial. Mimicry revaluates the assumption of colonial identity. This process of revaluation is done through the effects of identity which faces discrimination. All the aspects of discrimination and domination are accompanied with displacement and dissatisfaction. The research is qualitative in nature so the most suitable method that can be applied in this regard is textual analysis.