iIntersecting Cultures: Homi Bhabha's Hybridity and the Analysis of Alice Walker's “Everyday Use”

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Master's student of the Department of English Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan

Abstract

In the post-colonial era, marked by increased immigration and enhanced communication networks, individuals find themselves affiliating with multiple nationalities simultaneously. This interconnectedness reflects a clear manifestation of hybridity, showcasing the blending of diverse races. The third space, often referred to as a heterotopia, serves as the junction where local and global cultures converge. Succumbing to cultural invasion ultimately results in the emergence of cultural hybridity. This descriptive-analytical research aims to elucidate and elaborate on the interplay between rural and urban lifestyles by employing the theoretical framework of Homi K. Bhabha. The short story "Everyday Use" narrates the lives of a mother (Mama) and her two daughters (Dee and Maggie). Dee, influenced by urban culture, has distanced herself from her heritage, diverging from the values cherished by her rural family. The research seeks to underscore the depth and intensity of this cultural hybridity. Examples of this disconnection from her rural roots include having a non-native boyfriend, altering her attire, adapting her language, and revising her perspectives on handicrafts. Dee's expression, "I could no longer endure being named after the people who oppress me," encapsulates her rejection of rural culture in favor of urban ideals. Her urban-centric thoughts have triumphed over her rural beliefs and customs, overshadowing her past and originality.

Keywords

Literary Discourse Analysis
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
December 2023
Pages 49-70

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