Ascertaining the Discursive Construction of the Cosmopolitan Identity: An Analysis of Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine

This paper anatomizes Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine in the perspective of cultural assimilation and determines the extent of establishing cosmopolitan identity through discourse. The researcher uses the theoretical framework propounded by Appiah to examine the contribution and representation of literary globalization in the making of ‘universal citizen’ whose cultural and geographical boundary crossing results into the formation of post-modern fluid identities. Methodologically, this qualitative content analysis uses the joint venture of Appiah’s concept of cosmopolitanism and Fairclough’s notion of naturalization focusing on three scenarios which specify an acceptance of differences, accentuation of differences, and attempt to resolve the differences. The analysis reflects that boundary crossing by the immigrants has formed fluidity and has given exponential boost to the idea of harmony and coexistence. It also reveals that this transformation of identity owes to the discourse of the dominant culture which reshapes fundamental knowledge and values for the individuals of minorities. However, it also signifies that postmodern cosmopolitan fluidity continues to thrive.