Self Negotiation in Bharati Mukherjee’s Desirable Daughters

Abstract

Bharati Mukherjee is a renowned writer of the Diaspora. She approaches the concept of the diaspora in a different manner. Her works are oriented towards reformulating the idea of the diaspora as a means of growth rather than the stereotyped perception of Diaspora as a state of detriment.  Her characters are as Mukherjee says in the introduction to Darkness “With sentimental attachments to a distant homeland but no real desire for permanent return”.  She takes pride in proclaiming that identity reformulations are made possible by the diaspora.  Her writings carry the influence of her own diasporic experience in Canada and the United States.  Her characters, especially women suffer from a sense of dilemma that is kindled by the cultural clash between the native and foreign lands.  They are forced to make negotiations and compromises at every stage to have a self contained life.