The Representation of Indianness and Identity in V. S. Naipaul's Novels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrjss.2026.v06.n01.023Keywords:
V.S. Naipaul, Post-colonial literature, Indianness, cultural identity, Indian diasporaAbstract
The works of V. S. Naipaul hold a vital place in postcolonial literature because they thoughtfully address questions of identity, rootlessness, and cultural legacy. He shared Indian ancestry and was born in Trinidad, a Caribbean island; Naipaul was uniquely placed to investigate the experiences of the Indian diaspora. His works, especially fiction, expose how Indian traditions, customs, religious beliefs, faith, and family structures survived migration and continued to shape the lives of later generations. This article examines the representation of Indianness in Naipaul's novels, particularly A House for Mr Biswas and The Mystic Masseur and argues that cultural memory serves as an important source of identity for diasporic communities despite the challenges of assimilation and change.
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