Unsettling Identities: Female Migration and Trauma in the Works of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The research paper examines the complex interplay of female migration and trauma in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novels Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire. The paper contends that migration amplifies the trauma associated with traditional gender roles, as Anju and Sudha grapple with the dual challenges of preserving cultural expectations while adapting to a foreign environment. It further examines how their migration impacts their relationship, which becomes increasingly strained due to the burdens of their unresolved traumas and the demands of their new lives. Through a comparative analysis of the two characters, the study highlights how migration can intensify pre-existing traumas and complicate efforts to adapt, especially for women navigating the intricate dynamics of gender norms in both their home and host countries.