The following dissertation aims to examine mobility, identity and racism in Caryl Phillips’ A Distant Shore and Foreigners Three English Lives. The following research finds it useful to rely on theoretical works pertaining to mobility, identity and racism. They contribute immensely to the comprehension and thus the close inspection of the concepts and works under scrutiny. The originality of the following dissertation lies in its examination of concepts that have not been discussed yet in the works under inspection. These include identity, mobility and racism. The present dissertation is divided into three parts. The first one is devoted to investigating mobility in the two literary works. Emphasis is placed on the meanings of mobility, mainly the literal and metaphorical meanings. Then the focus is on power and its immense contribution to mobilizing and immobilizing people. Thus, this chapter is intended to argue that mobility is conditioned by structures of power. Stress is also laid on the final outcomes of mobility. The second part revolves around identity in A Distant Shore and Foreigners; Three English Lives. Clearly, the spatial transition of the characters from one space to another gives birth to numerous changes in their identities. Hence, emphasis is put on the mobile nature of identity. The second chapter is a continuation of the first one in the sense that it examines the hybrid nature of identity. It is an attempt to contest the fixity and stability of cultures and identities by foregrounding their plural and hybrid nature. The main aim of the final chapter is to expose the complexity and problematic nature of the characters’ identities. The final section of this research project tackles racism in the two chosen literary works of Phillips. It is meant to argue that the spatial transition of immigrants from their homeland to a host country brings about their exposure to all forms of racism. Equally important, racism is marked by many antagonisms, more particularly the Manichean Allegory. Last but not least, the ultimate chapter foregrounds the repercussions of racism by arguing that these consequences are detrimental to the immigrants’ physicality and psychology.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Part One: Mobility in A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives
- Meanings of Mobility
- Power and Mobility: Mobilization and Immobilization of Characters
- The Outcomes of the Characters' Mobility: Liminality, Alienation, Disillusionment and Temporal Confusion
- Part 2: Identity in Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives
- Identity as a Mobile Entity
- The Hybrid Nature of Identity
- Identity Crisis
- Part Three: Racism in Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives
- Manifestations of Racism: Interpersonal and Systemic Racism
- Antagonisms Igniting Racism
- The Repercussions of Racism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation examines mobility, identity, and racism within Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives. It utilizes existing theoretical frameworks to analyze these concepts within the context of Phillips' works, focusing on aspects not previously discussed in existing scholarship. The research is divided into three parts, each exploring a core theme.
- The multifaceted meanings and consequences of mobility, both literal and metaphorical.
- The fluid and hybrid nature of identity, particularly as it is shaped by spatial transitions and cultural encounters.
- The various manifestations of racism, including interpersonal and systemic forms, and their impact on immigrant experiences.
- The role of power structures in influencing and shaping mobility patterns.
- The exploration of identity crises arising from the characters' experiences of displacement and cultural negotiation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Part One: Mobility in A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives: This section delves into the complex concept of mobility within Phillips' narratives. It begins by exploring the diverse meanings of mobility, encompassing both physical journeys and the more metaphorical shifts in identity and perspective that accompany such movement. The analysis then examines the influence of power dynamics on mobility, investigating how societal structures both facilitate and restrict the movement of individuals. Finally, it focuses on the consequences of the characters' mobility, exploring themes of liminality, alienation, disillusionment, and temporal disorientation as they navigate new environments and experiences. The interplay between physical movement and the psychological impact of displacement is a central theme throughout this section.
Part Two: Identity in Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives: This part of the dissertation explores how identity is portrayed as a dynamic and fluid concept in Phillips' novels. It begins by examining identity as inherently mobile, constantly shifting in response to the characters' physical and emotional journeys. The analysis then moves to the hybrid nature of identity, challenging notions of fixed cultural boundaries and emphasizing the multiplicity and fluidity of cultural influences that shape individual identities. Finally, the complexities and challenges inherent in the characters' identities are examined, particularly their experiences with identity crises resulting from the tensions between belonging and displacement.
Part Three: Racism in Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives: This final thematic section focuses on the experiences of racism faced by immigrants in Phillips' works. It explores various manifestations of racism, including both interpersonal acts of prejudice and the wider systemic structures that perpetuate inequality. The analysis examines specific antagonisms that fuel racism, including the use of Manichean allegory, and highlights the detrimental effects of racism on the physical and psychological well-being of the characters. The exploration of how these experiences affect their identities and their sense of belonging is central to this section.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Mobility, Identity, Racism, Caryl Phillips, A Distant Shore, Foreigners: Three English Lives, Postcolonial Literature, Diaspora, Hybridity, Liminality, Power Dynamics, Cultural Encounters, Immigration, Displacement.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main themes explored in this analysis of Caryl Phillips' works?
The analysis focuses on three key themes: Mobility, Identity, and Racism, as represented in Caryl Phillips' novels A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives.
What aspects of mobility are examined in Part One?
Part One explores the diverse meanings of mobility, encompassing both physical journeys and metaphorical shifts in identity. It also examines the influence of power dynamics on mobility and the consequences of mobility, such as liminality, alienation, and disillusionment.
How is identity viewed in Part Two of the analysis?
Part Two explores how identity is portrayed as a dynamic and fluid concept, constantly shifting in response to experiences. It analyzes the hybrid nature of identity, challenging notions of fixed cultural boundaries, and examines identity crises resulting from the tensions between belonging and displacement.
What forms of racism are discussed in Part Three?
Part Three focuses on the experiences of racism faced by immigrants, exploring both interpersonal acts of prejudice and systemic structures that perpetuate inequality. It highlights the detrimental effects of racism on the characters' physical and psychological well-being.
What is the significance of power dynamics in relation to mobility?
The analysis examines how societal structures both facilitate and restrict the movement of individuals, highlighting the role of power in shaping mobility patterns.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Mobility, Identity, Racism, Caryl Phillips, A Distant Shore, Foreigners: Three English Lives, Postcolonial Literature, Diaspora, Hybridity, Liminality, Power Dynamics, Cultural Encounters, Immigration, and Displacement.
What is the objective of this academic analysis?
The objective is to examine mobility, identity, and racism within Caryl Phillips' A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives, utilizing theoretical frameworks and focusing on aspects not previously discussed in existing scholarship. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these themes within the context of Phillips' works.
How do the characters' experiences of displacement affect their identities?
The analysis explores how the characters experience identity crises resulting from the tensions between belonging and displacement, and how their identities are shaped by spatial transitions and cultural encounters.
What is the purpose of examining manifestations of racism in Phillips' works?
The examination of racism aims to highlight both interpersonal acts of prejudice and the wider systemic structures that perpetuate inequality, and to understand the detrimental effects of racism on the characters' well-being and their sense of belonging.
- Quote paper
- Ilias Najih (Author), 2023, Mobility, Identity and Racism in Caryl Phillips’ "A Distant Shore and Foreigners: Three English Lives", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1556606
