Cultural Identity as Portrayed in Hana Khan Carries On (2021) by Uzma Jalaluddin

Abstract

This study examines cultural identity in the main character of the story. The objective of this study is to explore the process of cultural identity formation, how the main character handle that identity, and the impacts of the formed cultural identity. This study uses a qualitative method, and the data collecting are reading the novel, categorizing quotations based on the research questions, and analyzing them using Homi K. Bhabha's theory. The findings show that the main character's cultural identity is formed through complicated interactions among different cultures, creating a third space for identity negotiations. The character indicates ambivalence and fluidity in her identity, echoing the uncertainty this hybrid space. Further, the formed cultural identity challenges prevailing narratives and encourages the formation of new, more comprehensive identities. The implications of this research emphasize the significance of understanding identity as an continuous process that is constantly growing, influenced by social interactions and power relations in society.