Enduring Identities: A resilience journey through Jhumpa Lahiri's select works

This paper examines the theme of resilience in Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake and The Lowland, focusing on the varied experiences of cultural, political, and personal resilience across these works. Through a detailed analysis of The Namesake, the study explores the immigrant experience and the cultural displacement faced by Gogol Ganguli, who struggles with his identity as a second-generation immigrant. In The Lowland, resilience is examined within the context of political conflict, following Subhash and Gauri as they navigate the emotional and ideological aftermath of Udayan's involvement in the Naxalite movement. The paper also delves into Lahiri’s use of narrative structure, such as fragmented timelines, multiple perspectives, and flashbacks, to enrich the portrayal of resilience as an evolving and continuous process. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that resilience in Lahiri’s works transcends mere survival, offering a nuanced exploration of adaptation, self-discovery, and the negotiation of complex familial and socio-political realities.