TO BE OR NOT TO BE AMERICAN: CULTURAL IDENTITY IN NICOLA YOON'S (2016) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR

• Main Author: Najmi Shaumi Mumtaz, - (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: 2019-07-31.
• Subjects: Thesis; NonPeerReviewed
• Online Access: Link Metadata

Summary

Cultural identity has become one of the most relevant topics in today's era due to globalization and migration that impact how we define ourselves. Using Bhabha's (1994) theory of hybridity and Ferdman and Horenczyk's (2000) theory on cultural identity as the main theoretical framework, this study aims to investigate identity issues faced by the main characters of Nicola Yoon's (2016) The Sun Is Also A Star. Through the characters' characterization, the study explores how immigrants with differing cultural backgrounds understand their cultural identities in relation to their host country, America and their heritage cultures, Jamaica and South Korea. Drawing on the data that were gathered and categorized by referring to Petkova's (2005) framework of cultural identity construction, the analysis reveals that the characters tend to associate their selves with only one culture when they are in fact hybrid. Therefore, the characters can be considered experiencing cultural identity crisis. It is also found that the characters' cultural identities are highly influenced by their relationship with their family. The cases of the characters in this study are expected to contribute to the field of cultural studies and help people understand their selves and others better.

Item Description

http://repository.upi.edu/40060/4/S_ING_1505139_Title.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/2/S_ING_1505139_Chapter%201.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/7/S_ING_1505139_Chapter%202.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/5/S_ING_1505139_Chapter%203.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/9/S_ING_1505139_Chapter%204.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/8/S_ING_1505139_Chapter%205.pdf
http://repository.upi.edu/40060/10/S_ING_1505139_Appendix.pdf