"Thirdspace" And Identity Formation In Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine

This thesis is based on an analysis of Bharati Mukherjee’s novel Jasmine anduses spatial and identity theories as analytical tools to apply an important extension toHomi Bhabha’s “Third Space,” Edward Soja’s “Thirdspace” theory, to literary textualanalysis. It seeks to construct a Thirdspace of enunciation in the primary text, achievean understanding of the power relations in the space of cultural encounters, andhighlight identity fluidity in the process of the titular character’s struggle for survival.The theoretical framework is derived from postmodern geography, postcolonialism and literary spatial studies as well as Intercultural Communication studies.Since the spatial turn in the last century, spatial studies present an updated approachto the traditional literary analysis of time and history. More attention has been shiftedfrom classic conceptualizations of time to space, from historical studies to spatialitystudies. Homi Bhabha, as a postcolonial theorist of Indian origin, considers thatpower structures in the space of cultural encounters fits the analysis of the narrative ofthe diaspora postcolonial female from India transgressing geographical and culturalboundaries and is thus reshaped by the targeted American cultural norms. EdwardSoja’s development and definition of Thirdspace confronts the traditional dualisticthinking around the material and spiritual aspects of space; it also provides atrialectic-thinking mode, which helps in the analysis of the identity transformation ofthe character, Jasmine.This thesis argues that in the novel Jasmine, the Thirdspace is constructedthrough narrative rhetoric, transcultural memory and community of resistance, andthat it is in the Thirdspace of enunciation that the marginal person is able to achievetransformation to new identities. This Thirdspace allows her to disrupt the oldconnections and social order, challenging the dominant power structures of both Indian society and American culture.The research questions guiding this analysis are formulated as:(1) How has themigrant marginal Jasmine negotiated her identity and survival when besieged by thedominant migrated culture?(2) How has the marginal individual challenged theexisting hegemonic power structures while at the same time the displaced subject isnegotiating her identities and pursuing a sense of home?(3) How has the Thirdspaceplayed a role in the encounter of these asymmetrical power relations?This thesis consists of six parts. Chapter One, the Introduction, initiates the topic,briefly identifying the significance of this study and thesis structure. Chapter Twoprovides a broad literature review of the theoretical basis, offers a conciseintroduction to the author and her work, and notes the former studies on Jasmine.Chapter Three applies the construction of Thirdspace in the primary text throughthree aspects, including the narrative rhetoric, the employment of transculturalmemory and the construction of community of resistance. By using the protagonist’sfocalization, she constantly flashes back to her past lives, allowing her to livedialogically in-between the present and the past. Jasmine also consciously constructscommunities of her own, like the “silent alliance” with the adopted Vietnamese sonDu in Iowa. By using hybrid words and names that reflect typical Indian characterwith modern English diction, a blended culture is created within the text, furthercontributing to the construction of Thirdspace. Chapter Four provides an analysis ofthe titular character’s struggle and resistance to oppression, and the ways Jasminefaces different forms of hegemonic power at different stages of her life. This isreflected in the confinements of her first marriage in India, the feudal patriarchalpower structure that drives the holy pilgrimage decision to commit suttee after thedeath of her husband, the postcolonial assumptions that make her vulnerable to sexualviolation by an American veteran. It is also embodied in Jasmine’s different names——Jyoti, Jasmine, Jazzy, Jase, Jane, each enforced by the male characters whodominate her life in each stage of her existence, and her resistance and survival through identity fluidity. Chapter Five provides a thorough analysis of Jasmine’s fluididentity formation, her searching for home and the shuttling between many differentnames. The Conclusion summaries the application of the transdisciplinary concept ofThirdspace in literary contexts and suggests that a solution to identity formation ofthe dislocated subject is a third choice of embracing the transformative positionalityand fluidity of identity. Jasmine’s resilient identity fluidity is shown to stem fromThirdspace spatial fluidity.