Breaking Boundaries: Reincarnation, Feminist Rebirth, and Cultural Identity in Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee.

The Indian diaspora women employ the concept of reincarnation as a literary tool to express their evolving worldviews, rooted in a belief in physical rebirth. Jasmine's journey exemplifies how she attains freedom with the help of various mentors whose wisdom she internalizes. Symbolic rebirths empower Jasmine to overcome the obstacles of illegal immigration and shed light on the complexities of a poly identity. Additionally, Jasmine delves into her identity by embodying iconic figures from Indian, American, and Anglo-Saxon literature, such as Jane Eyre, Shane, and Kali. Mukherjee’s work presents an opportunity for a critical discussion on developing a diverse and inclusive society. By presenting a political discourse on building a multicultural society, Mukherjee’s work enriches our understanding of the experiences of Indian diaspora women. Stuart Hall argues that identity should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a fixed state, always shaped within rather than outside representation. Mukherjee delves into the evolving identities of diasporic women through journeys in life in both historical and contemporary contexts in the US and India, thereby demonstrating the universal relevance of her work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]