| dc.description.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. | en_US |
