Cultural identity and belonging in postcolonial literature: a Caribbean perspective

Abstract

European colonisation has left an indelible mark in history, forever altering the very essences of both the imperial nations and the colonised countries. The colonisation of the Caribbean islands stands out as a particularly intriguing case since it involves the construction of a society, rather than the occupation of an already-established nation. Such a situation resulted in a general crisis of cultural identification, which is reflected in the majority of works the region has produced. Predominantly concerned with the exploration of nationhood, identity and belonging in their works, West Indian authors have tried to understand and express their connection to both their place of origin and to the 'mother land', where a significant amount of them are living today. This study examines the works of two authors in particular. V. S. Naipaul has the theme of home and homelessness at the heart of his works. His works chronicle his search for belonging and individuation, things the fractured civilisation from which he sprang could not provide him. Caryl Phillips, meanwhile, grapples with issues such as dual identification and the fragmented individual that arise in diasporic situations. He also recognises the important role one's past plays in shaping one's conception of personal and cultural identity. Both authors ultimately explore the status of the immigrant within English society, to whom the victims of colonisation are intrinsically bound. In the wake of transnationalism and transculturation, the once clearly defined national boundaries have become blurred and are being actively challenged. Due to its role in wide scale immigration, England has now become the site where the issues of postcolonial identity are being unfolded and explored.