This master's thesis explores the theme of immigration in Isabel Allende’s fictional work. It deals with the question how Allende deals with the issue in her novels "Daughter of Fortune" and "Portrait in Sepia".
The objective of the work is to identify, explore and communicate the various dimensions of intricate phenomenon of immigration presented by the modern emigrant American author Isabel Allende who shares her personal and first hand experience of an uprooted person in the new world of America. She finds herself neither true Chilean nor an American woman but a displaced woman of modern age. She presents the true and miserable side of the picture of emigrants and their various reasons which motivate them to leave their own homeland.
She discusses in her novels the effects of the process of immigration upon immigrants. She takes in to account all the aspects of immigration including the dilemma of migrants in host country like America. The research work tries to identify the factors which promote the migration pat-terns of women and difficulties faced by them in new world where they have to adopt new ways for their survival.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
The significant period of age of discovery and migratory patterns:
Trends of migration to south america:
The spanish conquest and influx of immigrants:
Hispanic immgrants in united states of america:
Biography and works of isabel allende
Hypothesis:
Objective of the research work
Delimitations:
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Criticism on Isabel Allende’s work:
Chapter 3: Reasons Of Immigration
Chapter 4: Effects Of Immigrations On Immigrants
Chapter 5: Migrant Women And Their Settlement
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis explores the phenomenon of immigration as portrayed in two historical novels by Isabel Allende, focusing on the motivations for migration, the challenges of integration, and the specific struggles faced by migrant women in a new host country.
- Analysis of historical and social patterns of global migration.
- Examination of immigrant identity, nostalgia, and assimilation.
- Exploration of the specific psychological and physical hardships faced by migrant women.
- Study of autobiographical elements in the fictional works of Isabel Allende.
- Assessment of cultural clashes and the loss of identity in the host environment.
Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 3: Reasons Of Immigration
The reasons for drifting out of country are sometimes entirely related to natural disasters, calamitous conditions in the world. The modern world has experienced natural disasters on a great scale including the Tsunami in Malaysia, earthquake in Japan, floods in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan which accelerated internal migration and displacement of people. The internally displaced people moved within their country to various places for temporary stay which later on, were converted to permanent stay, because of large scale of devastated area. Sometimes the reason of migration could be only related to threat; fear or even the prediction of any natural disaster can also force people to shift their habitat. The process of socialization is often bounded to changes resulting migrations on a large scale. The other list of reasons like unstable political conditions, ethnic grouping , cleansing wrapped up with terrorism , racism, racial discrimination, exclusion made by government for different political reasons all contribute to overall international migration patterns.
According to Michael Barones, the United States of America is labeled as “Melting pot’’ because of multicultural society in which migrants live. People came to the United States and assimilated in the country. This process of assimilation increased the cultural diversity of United States and now it is called as the land of immigrants (Barones, 2001). Since the discovery of America different migrants like English, Scots, Welsh, German, Swiss and Irish moved towards United States. The American land has so far been the greatest recipient of immigrants from the world because of its abundant resources (Mandland, 2004).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the historical and global scope of human migration, covering discovery periods, patterns of movement, and biographical background of the author.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: An overview of existing migrant literature and critical perspectives on Isabel Allende’s work, emphasizing her use of magic realism and autobiographical elements.
Chapter 3: Reasons Of Immigration: An analysis of the diverse factors, ranging from natural disasters to economic and political instability, that trigger human migration.
Chapter 4: Effects Of Immigrations On Immigrants: A discussion of the psychological and social consequences of displacement, including identity crises, linguistic barriers, and the challenges of assimilation in a host society.
Chapter 5: Migrant Women And Their Settlement: A focused examination of the unique challenges faced by migrant women, specifically regarding labor, social status, and the search for identity and settlement in new environments.
Conclusion: A summary of the research findings, reiterating that migration is a complex, ongoing global process deeply connected to personal and economic struggles.
Keywords
Immigration, Migration, Isabel Allende, Daughter of Fortune, Portrait in Sepia, Assimilation, Identity, Migrant Literature, Cultural Diversity, Displacement, Global Migration, Women Migrants, Magic Realism, Host Country, Settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research explores the theme of immigration as depicted in the fictional works of Isabel Allende, focusing specifically on the causes of migration and the experiences of immigrants in a new host land.
What are the central themes examined in the study?
Central themes include the loss of identity, cultural clashes, the struggle for assimilation, the specific challenges faced by migrant women, and the impact of migration on both host and native countries.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks how Isabel Allende navigates the complexities and issues surrounding immigration within her novels.
Which scientific approach is used?
The study utilizes a literary analysis approach, focusing on character development, thematic representation, and contextual historical details within the specific novels selected.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the history of migration, critical reviews of immigrant literature, the primary reasons for migration, the effects on immigrants, and a detailed look at the settlement patterns of migrant women.
Which keywords define this study?
Key terms include Immigration, Identity, Assimilation, Displacement, Migrant Literature, and Gender-specific migration.
Which specific novels are analyzed in this research?
The analysis is delimited to two historical novels by Isabel Allende: "Daughter of Fortune" and "Portrait in Sepia".
How is the experience of migrant women specifically analyzed?
The study explores their roles in the labor force, their vulnerability to exploitation and human trafficking, and their efforts to maintain or redefine their identity and social status in America.
What is the significance of the "autobiographical element" mentioned?
It highlights that Isabel Allende’s own experiences as an immigrant and displaced person strongly influence her narrative perspective and the realistic portrayal of her characters.
- Quote paper
- Attiya Saghir (Author), 2011, The topic of immigration in historical novels. An examination of "Daughter of Fortune" and "Portrait in Sepia" by Isabel Allende, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/318205
