Transnational Lives: Migration, Diaspora and Identity in Shamsie’s Home Fire

Abstract

This article explores the complexities of immigrant experiences in Kamila Shamsie's novel "Home Fire" (2017), delving into the themes of diaspora, identity, and belonging. Through a critical analysis of the novel, this study examines how the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and struggle in a foreign land shapes their sense of identity, influenced by cultural changes and the tension between their heritage and adopted culture. The novel highlights the challenges faced by diaspora communities, including denial of identity, feelings of homelessness, and homesickness. By applying Robin Cohen's Diaspora Theory, this research investigates the ways in which migration (whether forced or voluntary) affects the lives of immigrants, particularly in the context of post-9/11 realities. The analysis reveals Shamsie's nuanced portrayal of the diasporic experience, marked by a refusal to accept immigrants as part of the native community, and sheds light on the prevailing issues related to migration, transnational identity, and the search for belonging.