How can 'A House for Mr Biswas' be considered as a diasporic novel?
Well, 'A House for Mr Biswas' shows elements of a diasporic novel through Mr Biswas' journey. His attempts to build or find a house are like his attempts to create a new home in a world that doesn't always welcome him. The story is filled with his interactions with different social groups and his efforts to carve out a space for himself. His relationship with his family and the community is complex. His sense of not fully belonging, and his desire to make a mark and have a place to call his own, all contribute to the diasporic nature of the novel as it reflects the experiences of those who are in some way displaced from their original or expected places in society.
It can be considered a diasporic novel as it often explores the sense of displacement. Mr Biswas constantly feels out of place in the society he is in. His search for a house is not just a physical one but also a search for a place where he truly belongs, which is a common theme in diasporic literature.
In 'A House for Mr Biswas', the protagonist's struggle against the cultural and social norms of the place he lives can be seen as diasporic. He is caught between different identities and expectations. His longing for a house of his own represents his longing for a stable identity, much like how diasporic individuals often seek a stable sense of self in a new or alien environment. The family dynamics also show the clash of different cultural values, which is characteristic of diasporic experiences.
