CULTURAL IDENTITY AND CULTURAL DISLOCATION IN JEAN KWOK’S GIRL IN TRANSLATION

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the construction of cultural identity and cultural dislocation in Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation. This novel tells about a Chinese immigrant called Kimberly Chang, born in Hong Kong, who is later moved from Hong Kong to USA when she was child. In this novel, Kimberly experiences cultural identity and cultural dislocation. Using Stuart Hall’s cultural identity, this research tries to examine the events related to the two issues. Therefore, the analysis is not only dealing with the intrinsic elements but also the extrinsic elements of the novels. To find out a discourse of cultural identity and cultural dislocation in the novel, this research begins with observing the psychological and cultural complexities of Kimberly. Then, the analysis continues to examine the characteristic of cultural identity and cultural dislocation. Moreover, this research does not ignore the context of the novel. Therefore, I also observe the context beyond the novel which influences the construction of cultural identity and cultural dislocation ideas through the character of Kimberly. Those events lead this research gains a conclusion that Jean Kwok sees the immigrant phenomena as a process of identity changes, especially Chinese immigrants. Immigrants are in the position of dealing with new environment whose its culture is very different. Hence, they gradually displace their past culture and learn the new culture in order to be accepted socially in their new land. For Kwok, the failure to accept new culture obstructs people to gain better life in their society, in this case is in USA.