The past and its impact on the present: The development of gender and ethnic identity in Kingston's 'Woman Warrior', Mukherjee's 'Jasmine' and Kincaid's 'Lucy'

This thesis analyzes three immigrant narratives and exemplifies the impact that the past has on the main character's cultural and gender development. During the course of each narrative reflections of the past intrude on the present immigrant experience and remind the characters of who they are and where they came from. Kingston's Woman Warrior revolves around her cultural past and the psychological impression that her mother's immigrant experience has left on her. In Jasmine Mukherjee's main character embarks on a self-reflecting journey that highlights the past that influences her ever changing identity. Finally, in Lucy a young woman is determined to flee a country and family that have an almost unbreakable hold on who she is and what she will become. In all of three narratives a similar thread reappears in the form of the past and its influence on the progression of their gender and ethnic identities.