Agency and Identity Crisis in Diasporic Experience: A Study of Dinaw Mengestu’s The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears

This paper examines agency and identity crisis in Dinaw Mengestu’s The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears, focusing on protagonist Sepha Stephanos' diasporic experience as an Ethiopian refugee in the United States. Against the backdrop of trauma and socio-economic vulnerability, Sepha's struggle to navigate a new cultural landscape reveals the complexities of diasporic identity formation. Through a theoretical lens encompassing concepts of agency and identity discourse, the study analyzes Sepha's inability to exert agency in shaping his destiny, as influenced by his diasporic status and past trauma. Drawing on scholars such as William H. Sewel and Stuart Hall, the paper explores the interplay between socio-cultural constraints and individual agency, highlighting the impact on Sepha's sense of self. Additionally, it engages with psychoanalytic and racial perspectives to deepen the understanding of Sepha's identity crisis. By contextualizing the novel within broader discussions of immigrant literature, this research contributes to ongoing dialogues on diasporic experiences, shedding light on the complexities of identity negotiation and the enduring impact of displacement on individuals' lives.