A postcolonial Analysis of Monica Ali’s “Brick Lane”

Abstract

In this paper, the novel, Brick Lane will be critically analyzed by considering the postcolonial aspects of mimicry, hybridity, third space, and ambivalence, also known as the Bhabhian perspective in post-colonialism. All these notions have been explained by Homi K. Bhabha. The novel Brick Lane is written by Monica Ali in 2003. To underscore its Bhabhian perspective, this analysis also highlights the views of other theorists of cultural identities, such as Edward Said and Stuart Hall. Using the concepts of cultural identification developed by Homi Bhabha, it examines how Ali's central characters struggle to express their own sense of cultural identity. Post-colonial critics, such as Homi Bhabha, have paid particular attention to Nazneen, who is the protagonist of the novel. Her character shows the development of cultural identity in Nazneen.