Identity Construction During The Search For Origin

Migration literature has met recently with a great response in the German-speaking literary world.Sa(?)a Stani(?)i(?) is a representative of the new generation of German-speaking migration literature.In 2019 he won the German Book Prize for his novel “Herkunft”.This work is endowed with a strong personality.In the interweaving of memories and the present,Stani(?)i(?) strings one story after the other.Also,the author’s unique narrative structure not only encourages plot development,but also provides the story with unlimited possibilities.Therefore,the present work aims to deal with the question of identity in Sa(?)a Stani(?)i(?)’s novel “Herkunft”,and the research is carried out by analyzing the narrative strategies.For this,discussion about identity is first used as theoretical support.In addition,the theory of memory,identity and narration combines the concept of identity with the perspective of memory to show the interaction between the two.In order to show the instability and indeterminacy of the identity construction of the characters in the novel,the author uses rich and sophisticated narrative techniques,which are reflected in three aspects: narrator,narrative composition and plot.The author uses a hybrid of narrators as well as homodiegetic and retrospective narration.At the same time,the use of variable focalizations as well as the use of the characteristic saltatory time design enables readers to constantly switch between past and present,memory and reflection.In addition,the main and subplots of the novel overlap,and when choosing the plot,the author relies on a variety of real historical and personal events with combination of a lot of fictional content.The poetic language outlines the experience of self and family,not only showing readers a panoramic autobiography,but also constructing a living virtual world for them.The exquisite narrative techniques play a major role in the representation of the identity construction as well as its dynamism in the novel.All of the above narrative techniques form a diverse and interwoven narrative structure that reflects the dynamic and complex process of identity construction.The construction of identity in the novel is represented accordingly through the narrative description.The instability of the construction of identity in this novel is reflected in the following two aspects: On the one hand,there are complex constructions of identity respectively on an individual and collective level.On the other hand,the identity constructions are constantly in a dynamic and insecure state under the influence of various factors.In relation to individual identity construction,jobs,home and belonging etc.can have both positive and negative effects on it.In addition,the loss of memories often leads to an identity crisis.With regard to the collective identity construction,the characters in the novel experience a number of events together.These traumata bring the collective identity into crisis.On the contrary,memory space can evoke collective identity,which is an important pillar for the continuation of collective memory.It is emphasized in the novel that origin and identity is rather a feeling of“belonging”.Therefore,these two aspects of identity are not opposing,but complementary to each other.Based on the analysis of the narrative structure of the novel,this thesis clearly shows the identity construction and its dynamics and complexity in the novel“Herkunft”.The author does not give a specific answer to the question of identity,as the pursuit of identity is always an open,diverse and individualized process.Sa(?)a Stani(?)i(?) uses his discussion about origin as an entry point to express his thoughts on history and its effects on the present.