Sense of Dislocation in Rohinton Mistry’s Such a Long Journey

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to study Parsi culture and ethos in the light of diaspora in Such a Long Journey, first novel by Rohinton Mistry. A close reading of the novel reveals that the protagonist Gustad struggles hard to survive in the majority Hindu society being member of minority Parsi community. He lives in Khodadad building of Bombay with his wife Dilnavaz, two sons Sohrab and Darius and a daughter Roshan. He fails to fulfill his quite modest and ordinary dreams of successful life. His dreams slowly crumble and his hopes die a slow death as he has one frustrating experience after the other. He finds it hard to accept the fact that thing are beyond his control. Life for him seems to be endless series of trials and tribulations. This research paper is guided from post- colonial point of view in the light of diaspora.To prepare this research paper I use the theoretical perspective of Thomas Blom, Hasen Ashcroft, Vijaya Mishra and Robin Cohen. I use the term like dislocation and quest of identity under the perspective of Diaspora.

The present paper is an effort to study the condition of Parsi in contemporary Indian social and political environment. Mistry's graphic description presents a clear picture of insecurity and sense of displacement that is strongly felt by Parsi.