Decoding Autonomy in Rohinton Mistry through Diasporic Encounters

Abstract

Through diasporic cross cultural encounters, an individual is capable of asserting his personal autonomous self. The environment to which a person is exposed to influences the life experiences and behaviours. This autonomous self can in turn help the individual in asserting his self will and develop himself into a creative self determined person. By scrutinising Rohinton Mistry’s “Swimming Lessons”, it could be discerned how he has successfully portrayed a person caught in the diasporic space. Through a close reading of the text it could also be identified how the protagonist gets accustomed to the new culture and how he evolves into an autonomous body willing to see what is ‘inside’ having seen what is happening ‘outside’ his worldview. By employing the theories of personal autonomy, and diaspora, it could be stated that a migrant self can develop into a creative autonomous individual able to come out as an autonomous creative self.

Keywords

Cross Culture, Personal Autonomy, Cultural shock, Individualism, Self determination

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