See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/377355744

CULTURAL IDENTITY AND MIGRATION IN CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI

NOVEL, “BEFORE WE VISIT THE GODDESS”

Article · January 2024

CITATIONS READS

0 127

4 authors, including:

Anita Gnanamuttu
Sadakathullah Appa College
50 PUBLICATIONS 3 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Anita Gnanamuttu on 12 January 2024.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

शोध प्रभा ISSN: 0974-8946
Shodha Prabha (UGC CARE Journal) Vol. 48, प्रदम अंक, Book No.05: 2023

CULTURAL IDENTITY AND MIGRATION IN CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI

NOVEL, “BEFORE WE VISIT THE GODDESS”

Ms. T.N. SOUNDARYAM, M.A.English (II Year), Sadakathullah Appa College

(Autonomous), Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu- 627011.
Dr. L. Anita Gnanamuttu, Assistant and Head , PG Department of English, Sadakathullah
Appa College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu- 627011.

ABSTRACT
The novel, “Before We Visit the Goddess” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores the
complicated relationship between the three generations of women. The narrative follows the
lives of Sabitri, her daughter Bela, and her grand-daughter Tara over several continents and
decades. It explores their wants, frustrations and strategies for juggling love, ambition and
cultural identity. The book interweaves their tales to create a vivid portrayal of family, resiliency
that tie us together. It aims to develop a, multi-generational narrative that explores the difficulties
of mother-daughter relationships and the effects of women’s decision in various social, cultural
and political contexts. It shows how the lives and adventures of the characters are interrelated,
emphasizing the importance of familial ties. The writer considers the difficulties that each of the
main characters encounters while adjusting to life in India and the United States. The novel
examines the concept of self-discovery and self-realization, particularly it relates to women’s
experiences. To deepen the narration and theme offer a narrative that combines parts of Indian
mythology and storytelling. The goals and objectives are consistent with the complex narrative
fabric of the novel, “Before We Visit the Goddess” and the subject its tackles. By the theme of
the novel, the elicit reflection and conversation on people’s life decisions and how those
decisions affect their relationship and personal development. It highlights how the three central
characters Sabitri, Bela and Tara, have changed in terms of their roles and goals. Throughout the
novel, witness how these women navigate their individual journeys whole maintaining a deep
connection.

Keywords: cultural identity, migration, self realization, multi-generation

Mahatma Gandhi once proclaimed, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. The
novel “Before We Visit the Goddess” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni fascinating
multigenerational which was published in 2016, connects the stories of three women from
different locations and time periods. Sabitri, her daughter Bela and her granddaughter Tara are
the main characters, where the characters journeys of self discovery and growth are
interconnected, vividly captures this emotion. The immigrant experience and the enduring bonds
of family that traverse continents in a world where cultural identities are increasingly complex
and the pursuit of dreams often involves crossing borders. It’s a narrative that encompasses the
universal complexity of human relationships of Indian culture.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Page | 135

शोध प्रभा ISSN: 0974-8946
Shodha Prabha (UGC CARE Journal) Vol. 48, प्रदम अंक, Book No.05: 2023

Edwidge Danticat’s “Everything Inside” stands out every situations or actions of domestic life. It
has eight stories deals with break-ups, death, love, loss, betrayal, immigration, shame and
poverty. The novel, “Before We Visit the Goddess” explores the complex web of emotions in
deeply and takes readers on a fascinating trip through the lives of its three main female
characters. “There’s really no such thing as the ‘voiceless’. There are only the deliberately
silenced, or the preferably unheard” by the famous writer Arundhati Roy. This following line can
be used to talk about the female characters in “Before We Visit the Goddess”, who have their
voices and struggles silenced, as well as how they discover their voices and identities.

The novel, “We Were Liars” by E.Lockhart experienced social structures, personalities and
needs. Each person has its race, culture and philosophy, conflict might arise. “Do not accept an
evil you can change”, “Be a little kinder than you have to” the quotes from the novel, “We Were
Liars”. Also in the novel, “Before We Visit the Goddess” , one of the main characters Sabitri,
who was raised in an underprivileged rural home, longs for a better life and an improved better
educational experience. She travels from her village to the busy streets of Kolkata due to her
perseverance. She encounters several obstacles along the way, through and her aspirations are
not always easy to come true. The troubles of Sabitri’s mother in India are far from Bela’s
childhood in America; her relationship with him is strained as a result of her struggles with her
own problems and misunderstandings.

The third generation Tara is born into the contemporary American society, her journey of
discovery as she tries to balance her Indian background with her American identity is explored in
the story. She feels alienated from her Indian roots. The intricate connections between mothers
and daughters are expertly explored in the story, along with themes of family, love and
migration. The novel analyses the complex web of these women lives and the decisions they
make owing to her lyrical prose and in-depth character development. It gives an involved
cultural context set against a backdrop of India and the United States offers the readers as an
insight into the immigrant experience and enduring family connections. It is a touching and
moving tale that will speak for everyone who has struggled with the complexity of their own
family history and identity.

The writer focuses on a distinct time in the lives of Sabitri, Bela and Tara. It also addresses a
range of important issues, including as the pursuit of dreams, the difficulties of mother-daughter
relationships, the impacts of cultural and age disparities, and the persistence of women in the
face of adversity. The cultural exploration immerses in the complex fabric of Indian and
American civilizations through vivid descriptions and cultural allusions. It tackles the conflict
between traditional value and modern desires, offering light on the complexity of identity in a
worldwide culture. Each women in the narrative has attentively given a voice and personality all
her own. As they endure the difficulties of life, readers are able to witness their growth and
development.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Page | 136

 शोध प्रभा ISSN: 0974-8946
Shodha Prabha (UGC CARE Journal) Vol. 48, प्रदम अंक, Book No.05: 2023

Although the novel examines the specific circumstances of Indian women and their families, its
themes of love, ambition and the seeking a sense of belonging are widely appealing. It conveys a
global investigation of ties and feelings in people for its sympathetic narrative and challenging
concepts. It has won recognition for its capacity to arouse strong feelings and promote
introspection. The novel presents an artwork of human experiences, inspiring readers to consider
the everlasting relationship of family and the pathways we choose in life.

A major theme running thorough the novel is Sabitri’s struggle to enhance her education. It
illustrates the life changing effects of education and the will of women to overcome social
restrictions. The novel discusses how distinct cultural traditions clash and fuse. It makes
references to the rituals, practices and belief systems that influence the lives and actions of the
characters, illustrating the struggle between tradition and modernity.

Throughout difficulties, the characters in the novel exhibit strength. It reacts to changes in
circumstances, reflecting the adaptability of people and the ability to overcome difficulties. It
provides a global perspective on the experiences of the characters by connecting India and
United States. “Before We Visit the Goddess” encourages the meditation on the concept of
legacy and how decisions made by one generation affect future generations. It comes for
consideration how ambitions, desires and cultural legacy are handed. By the theme of the novel
that connects the narratives of three generations of women with the aim to offer a greater
understanding of their lives, selections and the enduring the strong bonds that unite them.

References

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni novel,”Before We Visit the Goddess”, 2016

Mahatma Gandhi autobiography “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” First US Edition
(1948)
Arundhati Roy, “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness”, 2017
Amina Nathira A. & Dr. L. Anita Gnanamuttu “Treatment of Immigration in Selected Short
Stories of Edwidge Dantica’s Everything Inside”. Rabindra Bharati Journal of Philosophy, Vol:
XXIV/ Issue No: 02, 2023, pp.108-110. ISSN: 0973-0087
Sowmesh .P.B & Dr. L. Anita Gnanamuttu “Conflicts in Families in the novel, We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart”. International Journal of All Research Education and Scientific Methods
(IJARESM), ISSN: 2455-6211 Vol: 11, Issue No: 02, March 2023

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Page | 137

View publication stats