Diaspora and Cultural Studies: A Study
of Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Paradise
Aditya Saket¹, Dr. Vibhash Ranjan²
ABSTRACT
Abdulrazak Gurnah’s novel Paradise looks at the
tough questions around being away from home and what it means to
have a cultural identity, especially after colonial rule and being
forced to leave one's land. The story is set in German East Africa
during World War I and follows Yusuf, a young boy who is
unexpectedly taken from his family and sent to live with German
colonists. This sudden change uproots him from his cultural
background and throws him into a completely new and unfamiliar
world. The book explores ideas like being displaced, losing one’s
cultural roots, and trying to find a sense of belonging in a strange
place. Yusuf struggles with the pull of his African heritage and the
new German culture he is now part of Paradise also talks about the
idea of diaspora, showing how Yusuf’s story is similar to many
others who have been forced to leave their homes and adjust to new
cultures. The novel shows the difficulties that people in diaspora
face when trying to keep their cultural identity while living in a
different country. Through these themes, Paradise gives a thoughtful
and deep look at how people deal with being displaced and the
lasting effects of historical trauma.
Keywords: Diaspora, Cultural Studies, Cultural Identities,
Displacement, Colonialism
