Identity Politics in Ayad's Homeland Elegies: A Diasporic Study

Abstract

Introduction: "Homeland Elegies" by Ayad Akhtar (2020) is a deeply personal exploration of identity and belonging in a fractured nation. Blending fact and fiction, this work narrates a story of longing and dispossession in the post-9/11 world. It intertwines family drama, social commentary, and picaresque elements, focusing on the relationship between a father, a son, and their shared homeland.

Methodology: Akhtar employs a new narrative voice to depict a country ravaged by financial ruin and compromised ideals. The narrative highlights the fear experienced by immigrants and critiques a society led by a TV personality as president. Postcolonial diaspora theory and hybridity serve as significant theoretical tools to construct the conceptual framework.

Results/Findings: The novel reveals how unhealed wounds from 9/11 continue to impact the world, portraying diverse settings from American heartland towns to European suites and Afghan guerilla hideouts.

Future Direction Future analyses could further explore the intersections of personal and national identity in the context of global political upheaval.