Deconstruction And Reconstruction Of Idnetity In The English Patient

The English Patient, which is structurally complicated and thematically diversified, is perceived as the most successful work of the Canadian writer, Michael Ondaatje, and the spotlight of Western critics. Identity is one of the major concerns of Ondaatje in his book, however, his complex cultural background demonstrates that his identity carries a sense of"unrootedness". In order to probe into the theme of the pursuit of identity, the thesis analyses the ambiguous, uncertain, and multifaceted identity in The English Patient from a deconstructive perspective.The theory of Deconstruction, represented by Jacques Derrida, reveals the unrootedness, openness and intertextuality of text and takes all texts including literary text as in a dynamic process of infinitely opening and eternally changing, and emphasizes the creativity of reading and criticism. The openness and freedom of text provides the novel with the possibility of multiplicity. It is made evident in The English Patient. This everlasting change makes the exploration of the theme of identity inevitably fruitless from beginning to end in the novel. Employing the theory of deconstruction, this thesis analyses the ambiguity of the characters'identities. After the scourge of the war and imperialism, all the characters including Almasy, Kip, Hana, and Caravaggio suffer great trauma both in body and psyche and are confused at their identity. They try to break the bondage of such identity labels as names, bodies, and nationalities, and every one after seeing through the nature of the war and imperialism, rebuild a new identity of his/her own by means of one's own efforts and mutual help. Ondaatje uses the narrative devices like fragmentation, shifting in point of view, and memory in deconstructing and reconstructing identity.Through the interpretation of the problem of identity, the thesis finds out that the special historical, social and political background at the time of the war and imperialism cause the confusion and anxiety about identity. Only when there is true equality that surpasses the national boundaries can people get the sense of belonging. Ondaatje hopes that human beings could get rid of parochialist aspect of nationalism and establish a truly harmonious relationship.