This term paper deals with the aspect of hybridity in Junot Díaz' novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" on the linguistic level. The first part of the term paper deals with the concept of hybridity by Homi K. Bhabha and Sten Pultz Moslund. Afterwards, the second part will focus on the narrative level in the writing of Yunior. The arguments will be based on a close look at the novel and the theories about cultural hybridity. Finally, the results of the chapters will be summarized to show and prove the hybrid point of view of the novel.
The highly acclaimed novel was published in 2007 and won, among others, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2008. It tells thestory of Oscar, a Dominican-American boy, who grows up in the immigrant neighborhood of Paterson, New Jersey, influenced by U.S. society, the diaspora, and Dominican culture. The mainconflict of the novel takes place between Oscar and the world. As an overweight, brown-skinned, fantasy-loving boy, Oscar tries to find a sense of love and affiliation in asociety that mostly rejects him. However, the novel focuses not only on Oscar's life butit also deals with the history of three generations of families, all of whom struggle withtheir identities.
The narration of the story effectively captures diasporic identity because of the narrative style in the novel. The English language is interspersed with Spanishcolloquialisms. This hybridity of language reflects the world of the Caribbean, which shaped the author and, as it were, his characters. Hence, the 'in-betweenness' represents an important part of the book. The narrative style, namely the usage of Spanglish, also reflects in a certain way the own cultural identitysince language can reflect a person's self-perception as well as their world view. Furthermore, these two languages represent both countries and cultures that are relevantto the characters of the novel and their identity. In addition to the use of multiplelanguages, Diaz's fiction deploys a range of different registers.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Concept of Hybridity
- 2.1 Bhabha's Concept of Hybridity
- 2.2 Moslund's Concept of Transcultural Hybridity
- 3. Hybridity in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao on the Linguistic Level
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze the concept of linguistic hybridity in Junot Díaz's novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," exploring how this hybridity reflects Yunior's cultural identity. It delves into the concept of hybridity as defined by scholars like Bhabha and Moslund, examining its implications for understanding intercultural interactions and the formation of new identities.
- The concept of hybridity and its significance in cultural studies
- Bhabha's theory of hybridity and its implications for identity formation
- The role of language in shaping cultural identity
- The use of Spanglish in "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" and its connection to diasporic identity
- The impact of cultural hybridity on the characters' experiences in the novel
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter provides an overview of Junot Díaz's novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," focusing on its narrative and thematic elements. It introduces the Cabral family's history, particularly the protagonist Oscar's struggles with identity in a society that rejects him. The chapter also highlights Yunior's role as narrator and how his narrative style, infused with Spanglish, reflects the hybridity of diasporic identity.
The second chapter explores the concept of hybridity, tracing its evolution from antiquity to its prominence in cultural studies. It examines Bhabha's theory of hybridity, emphasizing its significance in understanding identity formation in a globalized world. This chapter delves into the idea of a 'third space' where new identities emerge through the interplay of different cultures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on key terms and concepts such as hybridity, cultural identity, language, diasporic identity, Spanglish, Bhabha's theory of hybridity, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," Junot Díaz, and the 'third space' as a site of cultural exchange.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, Linguistic Hybridity in "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz. To what extent does the Hybridity of Language also reflect Yunior’s Cultural Identity?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1430157
