Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part G (2024)

Bharati Mukherjee’s novels, Jasmine, The Tiger’s Daughter, and Desirable Daughters, intricately explore the dichotomy of "those who stay and those who leave," a recurring theme in the lives of her female protagonists. These novels portray women who, despite being bound by traditional expectations, emerge as warriors in their own right, negotiating their identities in a world fraught with displacement and cultural conflicts. Mukherjee's characters are emblematic of the immigrant experience, where the act of leaving—physically or metaphorically—becomes a catalyst for self-discovery and empowerment.

In Jasmine, the titular character embarks on a journey from rural India to the United States, transforming from an innocent village girl into a resilient survivor. Her multiple rebirths and identities reflect the struggles and triumphs of an immigrant woman navigating a foreign land. Similarly, The Tiger’s Daughter centres around Tara, who returns to India after years of living in America only to find herself estranged from her homeland. Tara’s internal conflict between staying and leaving underscores the complexities of cultural assimilation and the quest for belonging. Desirable Daughters further expands on these themes through the lives of three sisters, each representing different facets of the immigrant experience. Padma, Parvati, and Tara confront issues of tradition, modernity, and identity as they navigate their roles as daughters, wives, and mothers in a rapidly changing world. Their stories illustrate the varying degrees of resistance and adaptation that immigrant women must undergo.

Through these texts, Mukherjee crafts a powerful narrative about the resilience of women who, whether staying rooted in tradition or venturing into the unknown, become warriors in their pursuit of autonomy and identity. These protagonists challenge and redefine the boundaries of their worlds, embodying the complex interplay between cultural heritage and personal freedom.