Trauma and Displacement: Exploring the Diasporic Experience in Amitav Ghosh’s The Shadow Lines

Abstract

This qualitative research examines the themes of trauma and displacement in Amitav Ghosh’s The Shadow Lines, focusing on the diasporic experiences of key characters, including Tridib, the unnamed narrator, Thamma, Mayadebi, Ila, and May. The study employs close textual analysis to examine how the characters’ lives are disrupted by migration, war, and the partition of India, leading to a fractured sense of identity and belonging. By analyzing Ghosh’s narrative techniques and the shifting geographical settings, the research highlights the psychological impact of dislocation and the struggle of migrants to integrate into new, unfamiliar lands. The paper reveals that the characters’ fragmented experiences and the trauma of displacement reflect a broader diasporic condition marked by cultural alienation and a perpetual search for home. Ghosh’s portrayal of these individuals’ emotional, cultural, and physical displacements highlights the profound impact of historical and political upheavals on personal identities and interpersonal relationships, underscoring the enduring legacy of dislocation in the collective memory of the diaspora. Through this approach, the study sheds light on the complex interplay between memory, history, and identity in shaping the diasporic consciousness.