Transformations of Identity in Bharati Mukherjee's Jasmine

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Bharati Mukherjee’s third novel, Jasmine (1989), in an attempt to trace the transformations of its protagonist’s identities. The process of constant transformation thematizes the whole text, for Jasmine constantly changes her identities: from Jyoti she is metamorphoses into Jasmine, from Jasmine into Jazzy, then Jase and eventually Jane. These shifts of identity take place through interactions with other people. My thesis concentrates on these interactions and the way Jasmine is perceived by others, and the way she her many selves.