Journal of English Language Literature and Education
Vol. 4 Issue 3 (Jan - March 2023) pp 117-140
ISSN: 2710-4923 (Online)
ISSN: 2663-3485 (Print)
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
Sehar Abbas1
Sundus Gohar2
Lahore Garrison University, Lahore – Pakistan
Lahore Garrison University, Lahore – Pakistan
Abstract
This research analyzes the novella, Another Gulmohar Tree, written by Aamer
Hussain, a Pakistani writer. The aim of this study was to analyze the theme of
identity crisis by applying the Theory of Hybridity and Third Space given by Homi
K. Bhabha. It has been investigated how the change of culture makes a person
hybrid. This research further has discussed an individual's challenges while
moving from one place to another. Moreover, the mixture of eastern and western
cultures also has been explained in the study concerning Hybridity. This research
shows the collision of Pakistani and British cultures in Pakistani society. The
individuals who migrate from one place to another experience loss of culture,
norms and religious customs, resulting in a change of identity, Hybridity, and
third space, along with giving way to a distorted concept of self-realization and
adjusting to a new culture. The research highlights the difference between the
cultures, creating a new sense of individual and their expression.
1
2
Keywords: Aamer Hussein, Another Gulmohar Tree, Hybridity, Identity, Postcolonialism
Author’s Email: sundusgohar@lgu.edu.pk
Introduction
colonialism's cultural, political and
Colonialism refers to the period
economic heritage. It represents the
when European countries took either
aftermath of western colonialism, as it
full or partial control over other
represents a future that has the
countries. Colonizers imposed their
potential to overcome colonialism.
religion, language, economics and
Post-colonial scholars and historians
cultural practices during colonization.
have considered different directions
Post-colonialism
of innovation from philosophical,
117
is
a
study
of
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
social and historical perspectives.
experienced
and
the
Post-Colonialism alludes to struggles
colonialism on indigenous people.
of identity, Hybridity, and cultural
Post-colonial
differences for individuals in various
hybrids, identities, and cultures that
world regions. It is a critical theory of
affect the post-colonial people as a
investigation of history, culture and
problematic legacy of colonialism. In
literature.
this change, the colonized almost lost
Theory
impact
deals
of
with
Additionally, it centres on the
their unique self. The traditions and
of
and
culture of the colonizers get adopted
exploitation of colonized individuals.
by the people living in the occupied
Post-colonialism is a new perception
lands.
effect
human
control
of the re-creation of intercultural
According to research, post-
forms within inhabited contact zones.
colonialism
Traces of colonialism can also be
metaphysical, ethical, and political
found in post-colonial times, such as
concerns
the culture and identity of once-
gender, nationality, race, ethnicity,
colonized people.
subjectivity, language and power
The meeting and mixing of
analyses
about
the
cultural
identity,
(Mambrol, 2020). The central theme
completely different cultures during
in
the colonial era led to a major post-
Hybridity,
colonial
and
Kharsehdji Bhaba. He was an English
fragmentation. Due to the mixture of
scholar, critical theorist and one of
cultures, the world is seen as a
the most prominent figures of post-
conflict
colonial studies. Bhabha introduced
identity
between
crisis
post-colonial
post-colonial
literature
introduced
i.e.,
Homi
indigenous and colonial identities.
key
Therefore, the main themes of works
mimicry, difference and ambivalence.
written during the post-colonial era
Hybridity is the negotiation of two
were the fragmentation and identity
identities, which can be accompanied
crises that once colonized people
by a division of consciousness that is
118
concepts,
by
is
Hybridity,
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
either both or ignoring both. Post-
impelled
colonial studies are based on cultural
formations that include ideas that
interactions
certain domains require and beseech
between
different
by
impressive
identities in different regions, leading
domination.
to the emergence of new identities.
Hybridity has recurrently been used
Hybridization
is
extracted
"
cultural
(Sheoran,
2014).
in post-colonial discourse to mean
from the work of Edward Said, who
solely
explains the emergence of new forms
comparison between two or more
of culture based on multiculturalism.
different cultures or cultural areas.
Bhabha shows how colonial stories
The interaction of two different
and culture are invading the present;
cultures provides an opportunity to
they demand transformations and an
explore other cultures, traditions,
understanding
beliefs, languages and customs.
of
cross-cultural
relations (Beya, 2012). Edward Said
believes
that
a
Aamer Hussain was born in
Karachi in 1955 and settled in
identification of the country, and
London in his adolescence. His work
culture is the most well-known and
has
intended thing in society, a system of
anthologies in several languages,
meaning and symbols. Said, on the
including Spanish, Arabic, Japanese
other hand, has always linked culture
and Urdu. He is the author of the
to imperialism. He claims it's just
short story collections, Mirror to the
greed for power, resources and land.
Sun (1993), This Other Salt (1999),
Therefore,
Turquoise (2002), Cactus Town and
ruins
the
is
exchange,
the
it
culture
cross-cultural
culture.
been
published
in
several
"Neither imperialism, nor colonialism
Other
Stories (2002),
is a simple act of accumulation and
Insomnia (2007),
acquisition. It’s not just a matter of
Another
going out there and getting a territory,
and The Cloud Messenger (2011). He
and sitting on it. Both of these
has altered a volume of stories by
practices are supported and even
Pakistani
and
Gulmohar
ladies,
the
novels
Tree (2009)
Kahani
(2005),
119
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
which incorporates his interpretations
lady who has been sacrificed and
from the Urdu of Altaf Fatima,
given
Khalida Hussain and Hijab Imtiaz
becomes the bride of a Crocodile
Ali. He was made a Fellow of the
King. The last one is about Rokeya,
Royal Society of Literature in 2004,
who finds and gets to know a wild
and his surveys have shown up in the
deer in her front yard and decides to
Literary Review, The Times Literary
keep it until the deer goes away one
Supplement, and the New Statesman.
day, leaving her dismay. The second
They are routinely seen on the book
part of the novella is the actual plot of
pages of The Independent. Another
the story, the part that takes place in
Gulmohar
novella
London, and here we are introduced
shortlisted for the Commonwealth
to the protagonists, i.e., Usman and
Writers Prize.
Lydia. The third one is about the
The
Tree
is
novella
a
to
crocodiles;
later,
she
Another
journey of Lydia and Usman in
Gulmohar Tree is written by Aamer
Pakistan and how they both had their
Hussain and is divided into three
share of life, Lydia being new to the
parts. The first is a collection of
land and Usman as a struggling
traditional tales. The second part is
writer. They tried to settle their
about the real intrigue of the story
identities individually while living
that unfolded in London, and the third
together.
part is about the journey of Lydia and
The
novella
is
a
true
Usman in Pakistan. The book opens
representation of identity crisis and
with an assortment of traditional
Hybridity.
Pakistani folktales; the first one is
nineteen-year-old
about a child named Usman who
writer from Karachi, went to The
takes care of a frog underneath a
Daily Telegraph's foreign desk in
Gulmohar tree and receives a gold
London. He visited post-war London
coin each time whenever he feeds
from Pakistan and met a young,
him. The second is about a young
beautiful and aggressive artist named
120
Usman
Ali
newly
Khan,
a
married
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
Lydia. She is the daughter of a half-
Eventually, they both tied the knot.
Georgian émigré and a Scottish
However, as the years passed, Usman
Catholic mother. Lydia leaves an
felt a developing distance between
unhappy marriage and waits for the
them. He understands that he has not
finalization of her divorce. Usman
seen the buds of the Gulmohar tree
and Lydia met at a socialist seminar
spread out. Lydia and Usman also
in 1949, and their companionship
faced social contrasts. Usman faces
bloomed
more
societal problems as he tries to fit in
profound. However, when Usman
London but fails to achieve his goal.
goes to London, he understands that
He came to know that he was made
he has no identity and cannot be
for Pakistan. After meeting Usman,
recognized there, so he returns to
Lydia changed her name to Rokeya.
Pakistan. He worked in various areas
She tried to fit herself into the
and changed many jobs, from writing
Pakistani culture and succeeded. For
journals, short stories and essays; he
this fitting into a new place, she
tried to become a recognized writer in
transformed her clothing from foreign
his own country but failed. He
to local apparel and learnt needlework
realizes that each culture has its
like zardozi, karchob and salma
significance
sitara.
into
and
something
worth.
Usman
needed to return to Karachi, so he left
In this study, the analysis of
Lydia behind, but both stayed in
the novella, Another Gulmohar Tree,
touch through letters. After two years,
has
Lydia decided to leave London and
Hybridity by Homi K. Bhabha. The
go to Karachi, and they started to
interest between the two colliding
have a feeling of intimacy for each
cultures, i.e., Pakistani culture and
other.
British, has been portrayed in the
been
done
concerning
the
Meanwhile, the first wife of
study. It has been explored that a
Usman passed away, and he was
person belongs to the region where
feeling despair, looking for company.
his identity is. If someone tries to
121
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
adjust to a new place or country, they
The
novella
Another
may experience an identity crisis. As
Gulmohar Tree is a story about an
it has been analyzed in this novel,
identity crisis. This research will
Usman goes to London but needs to
examine the aspect of Hybridity
get the desired recognition and worth
through the novella. The Theory of
he wishes to achieve in Pakistan. In
Hybridity by Homi K. Bhabha from
the case of Lydia, the scenario is the
Post-colonialism has been applied to
opposite; she tries to adjust in
this study. This research will help
Pakistan and succeeds. Although
determine how a nation's variation
initially
faced
more
or
fewer
affects people. The significance of
began
to
learn
this research is that through the
values
and
analysis of this text, the study aims to
challenges,
she
Pakistan's
traditional
activities.
highlight the identity and hybridity
Objectives
problems of individuals migrating
This study was designed to
from one place to another. People will
1. Explore
identity
Aamer
Hussain’s
crisis
in
novella
Another Gulmohar Tree
2. Analyze
the
characters
according to Hybridity
Research Questions
learn the importance of identity and
individuality
from
the
research. After going through this
study, individuals will become aware
of the value and meaning of their
identities and discover how changing
1. How is the theme of identity
their
country
affects
crisis portrayed in Aamer
recognition and culture.
Hussain's
Research Gap
novella,
following
Another
Gulmohar Tree?
people's
A major research gap exists
2. How are characters analyzed
regarding the identity crisis in the
according to Hybridity?
novella Another Gulmohar Tree is
Significance of the Study
concerned; since it is a relatively new
work and as important as its subject
122
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
matter is, there have been a few
and irresoluteness towards the got
literary types of research done on this
custom,
work. In that regard, this research
Focusing on the all-over fights for
aims to initiate the investigation
control among societies and the
concerning Another Gulmohar Tree.
crossing point of societies brings
There is a reasonable amount of
about
Pakistani literature, which means that
colonialism analyzes metaphysical,
research work analyzing Pakistani
ethical and political concerns related
society's problems needs to be revised
to
in
nationality,
its
numbers.
This
research
values
and
character.
multiculturalism.
cultural
identity,
Post-
gender,
race,
ethnicity,
addresses that gap by discussing
subjectivity, language and power. It
Hybridity in Another Gulmohar Tree.
embraces cultural identity through
Literature Review
separatism,
nativism,
cultural
Post-colonialism is a critical
syncretism,
Hybridity,
mimicry,
scholarly study of colonialism and
active participation and assimilation.
imperialism's political, cultural and
The
most
important
economic legacy. It emphasizes the
studies
in
post-colonial
impact of human dominance and
include
The
Wretched
of
exploitation on colonized people and
Earth (1961)
by Franz
Fanon,
their lands. Post-colonial writers have
Orientalism
(1978)
been convinced to deconstruct the
Said, In
Other
Worlds (1987)
power of signs by showing its
by Gayatri
Spivak,
The
insignificant claim to be a fixed idea
Writes Back (1989) by Bill Ashcroft
of truth in Western realist narratives
et al., Nation and Narration (1990)
in
as
by Homi K Bhabha, and Culture and
MacCarthy claims, "One of the
Imperialism (1993) by Edward Said.
primary head distractions of these
Homi K. Bhabha, in his article
the
nineteenth
century
and
the
theoretical
Theory
the
by Edward
Empire
essayists, in their fictions or non-
"Portrayal
Post-colonial
fiction, is the subject of ―Hybridity
Text," censured explanatory models
123
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
that treat writing as a window to the
because of its crisis in all Post-
unmediated nature of reality. Bhabha
colonial communities. A person's
proclaimed
and
identity is formed by interacting with
authenticity as fundamental fictions
people, their lifestyle and society. In
that, unfortunately, trusted greatly in
her article Hybridity and Identity
their need and too minimal in their
Crisis, Rani says that according to
fictionality. Furthermore, he criticized
Erikson's description, identity has
imperialistic talks like authenticity,
many factors contributing to its
denying their material and authentic
development, which vary from one
development.
person to another.
historicism
Bhabha's
contention
became the premise for a basic
On the other hand, an identity
inclination for reluctant, parodic, and
crisis originates for an immigrant
antimimetic composing, which was
when
dared to be inherently revolutionary
obtained from
to the extent that it foreswore
smashes with demands of a new
endeavours to portray the genuine
identity in the new land (Rani np).
past. (Bhabha, 1997).
The crisis has surfaced due to the
his
original
his
identity
gets
homeland;
it
The famous psychologist, Erik
post-colonial era and the dangerous
Erikson, attributed the term identity
situations faced by the recently
crises. According to him, an identity
liberated nations in their quest and
crisis is a developmental event that
formation
involves a person questioning one's
problem arose because the concept of
sense of self. Erikson believed that
identity needs to be clarified and
identity formation was one of the
fixed and has become a phenomenon.
greatest conflicts one faces (Cherry,
As Mercer argues, identity only
2021). The topic of identity is the
becomes an issue in crisis when
most questionable issue in Post-
something assumed to be fixed,
colonial times and writing. It can be
coherent and stable is displaced by
regarded as the most important
124
of
self-identity.
The
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
the
experience
of
doubt
and
uncertainty (Dizayi, 2015).
and there was diverse consequence of
colonialism in different locations. The
In the post-colonial context,
theme of identity has emerged in
identity is a complex concept to be
many ways. Overall and personal
understood. According to Edward
personalities also differ realistically
Said, it is a historical fact that the
and mentally. The obstacles to the
struggle against western dominance in
decolonization
the non-European globe began with
different frameworks for the country,
nationalism, which Said defines as
social order, and people. In this era of
the restoration of the people, a
cultural chaos and identity crisis,
proclamation of identity, and the
location and expulsion are central
emergence of new cultural practices
themes of post-colonial literature.
as a constituted political power. (Said,
Ashcroft, Griffiths, and Tiffin argue
2012). Identifying an individual, a
that it is at the point of displacement
group or a nation is linked to "other",
that a "post-colonial crisis of identity"
meaning they recognize themselves as
emerges (Ashcroft et al. 2003).
process
envisioned
"us". Others are dialectically created
Dream on a Monkey Island,
and include the value and meaning of
written by Derek Walcott, is one of
colonial culture. Otherness is the
the best examples of an identity crisis.
ability to acknowledge identity in the
It is determined by the characters'
Post-colonial era and is a reciprocal
social and racial dilemmas. Makak,
phenomenon
and
the play's hero, is self-conscious
difference. As Hull asserts, identity is
about his dark complexion and the
not a stable and fixed concept; it
need to appear white. The quest for
manifests itself as an unexplained
and recognition of one's character is
space or question in the area between
central
a series of intersecting discourses
Mountain. When Makak is addressed
(Dizayi, 2015). The effect of the
near the beginning of the play, he
colonial legacy was multi-faceted,
cannot tell Corporal Lestrade his true
of
identity
to
Dream
on
Monkey
125
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
name or much about himself. When
present, it has been a feature of all
asked about his race, Makak says he
civilizations
is tired. He admits to Corporals Tigre
(Rani, 2021). Loomba explains that
and Srith that he hasn't seen them in
Hybridity has become an arguable
30 years. He hides his identity. The
issue for many Post-colonial theorists
identity crisis theme presented in the
and writers. The lack of objective
novel is linked to the Identity Crisis
reality in colonial and Post-colonial
of Another Gulmohar Tree.
matters has been widely understood
Kamila
Shamsie’s
since
ancient
times.
Burnt
as Hybridity. Hybridity is a key issue
Shadows explores the themes of
in the ongoing debate on post-
multiple identities and the tensions it
colonial studies.
creates when the story of the main
character,
Hiroko,
spans
Hanif Kureshi, in his short
various
story, My Son the Fanatic, deals with
cultures and timeframes through 9/11.
the element of identity crisis and
With her child Raza, we enter the
Hybridity
Afghan Jihadi camps during the
perspective. Parvez, a first-generation
1980s, the burning hot remains of the
Punjabi
World Trade Center in New York,
England, notices that his son Ali has
and lastly, the Canadian boundary as
begun to throw away his possessions
Raza Conrad Ashraf himself replaces
and withdraw from
the Afghan, Abdullah, and is taken to
Everyone begins to believe that Ali's
Guantanamo.
strange behaviour is due to drug
from
a
Pakistani
different
immigrant
to
his friends.
A hybrid crosses two distinct
addiction. Parvez later discovers that
races, plants, or cultures. A mixture
Ali's new behaviours result from a
has been combined, and Hybridity is
renewed devotion to a radical and
simply the combination of cultures.
Fundamentalist
The concept of Hybridity is not a new
Islam. Parvez tries to persuade his son
cultural or historical phenomenon.
to
From the Greeks and Romans to the
throughout the story. He wants him to
126
change
his
interpretation
extreme
of
beliefs
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
get his past life back on track, but Ali
the main issues of this research.
refuses and sticks to his beliefs. Ali
Different readers and critics were
opposes Western culture, which is
studied to learn about the problems
full of hatred for Islam, superficial,
present in this study. The topic of
materialistic,
interested
Hybridity was also investigated to
solely in joy. Ali demands that his
understand the concept of identity.
father be prohibited from drinking,
The
gambling, or eating pork by the basic
information collected on the topic,
rules
it's
and the primary source of the research
forbidden," said the boy. Parvez
was the novella Another Gulmohar
shrugged. "I know." And so is
Tree. The reliability of the study has
gambling. 'Yes. But aren't we just
been enhanced by going through the
humans? He does not change his
novella several times and finding the
father's words and tells him he will
points that match the Theory. The
sacrifice his life for jihad.
imposition of context in terms of the
of
the
shy,
and
Quran.
"But
secondary
source
was
the
Research Methodology
creation of self and individuality was
Qualitative data analysis has
imperative. The major theme of the
been used to analyze the novella
novel focused on in this research is
Another Gulmohar Tree by Aamer
identity crisis and Hybridity. The
Hussain. Qualitative methods are the
themes were analyzed and explored in
procedures that produce descriptive
this
data in either written or oral form.
Colonial Theory. This dissertation
The choice of qualitative method in
was
this study is not only preferred, but it
correlation
is
Hybridity in Post-colonial literature.
also
performed.
Qualitative
research demands a watchful eye for
the
understanding
of
effective
research
attempted
concerning
Post-
to
explain
the
between
identity
and
Conceptual Framework
Post-colonial literature
the
problems
often
perceptions. The novella's text will be
addresses
and
analyzed in this study, highlighting
consequences of the decolonization of
127
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
a country. Post-colonialism is a set of
Results and Discussion
ideas primarily related to explaining
The
novella,
Another
the political, aesthetic, economic,
Gulmohar Tree, was composed by
historical and social impacts of
Aamer Hussain. The Gulmohar tree is
European colonial rule worldwide in
one the most beautiful trees in the
the 18th and 20th centuries. Post-
world as it is a unique and oldest
colonialism is an important academic
ornamental
study
and
known as Royal Poinciana, was
imperialism's cultural, political, and
discovered in the nineteenth century
economic legacies, focusing on the
in Madagascar by a botanist Wesnel
impact of human dominance and
Bojer. The tree has been planted in
exploitation on colonized people and
several
their lands. The themes of post-
countries and can thrive in almost all
colonial
Hybridity,
climate conditions. The flowers of the
language, displacement, identity, and
Gulmohar appear in clusters, and the
colonialism.
colour of the flowers varies from light
of
colonialism
literature
are
tree.
tropical
Gulmohar,
and
also
sub-tropical
The characters of the novella
orange to red and deep scarlet shades.
Another Gulmohar Tree, Lydia and
Each shade of Gulmohar represents a
Usman,
different
different feeling, i.e., red symbolizes
difficulties when they decide to
life, health, love, and anger, whereas
change their countries. Both of them
orange
is
go through an identity crisis and
warmth,
creativity,
Hybridity. Lydia creates her own
determination. The Gulmohar tree is
space
go
to
government,
through
adjust
i.e.,
to
associated
with
joy,
success
and
the
new
also considered one of the most
Pakistan.
She
colourful trees in the world.
moulds herself according to the
In the novella, Usman is a
customs and traditions of the new
Pakistani writer who travelled from
place.
Pakistan to post-war London. He met
a young aspiring artist named Lydia,
128
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
who just came out of an unfortunate
The title of the novel Another
marriage like him. They both became
Gulmohar
friends, eventually having an intimate
importance to the story by giving a
relationship. Just as the friendship of
clear idea of change in culture and
lonely strangers started to develop
identity as it signifies the character of
deeper, Usman was forced to return to
Lydia when she came to Pakistan and
Karachi, leaving Lydia behind. Two
got herself adjusted according to the
years later, Lydia gave up her life in
norms and culture of a new land. The
London and embarked on a ship to
novella deals with pre and post-
Karachi. After Usman returned to
partition times, yet the character of
Pakistan, Lydia followed in his
Lydia
footsteps, and both got married,
changing her culture for a land that is
leaving Lydia to change her name to
still fighting for its existence. The
Rokeya. Lydia's changing of the
other side of the coin must be
name to Rokeya is clear evidence that
addressed
to fit in Pakistani society, she had to
changed her country yet her roots
wear the cap of a new culture,
remained in London, where she
eventually compromising her existing
belonged to. The Gulmohar tree is
identity. But as her year flies past
closely associated with Lydia as
Usman,
she
distance
wherever the tree is located, whether,
between
them
widen.
He
was
in Madagascar or any other country,
unaware
that
the
of
the
its roots would remain the same as its
Gulmohar tree were open and that he
origin. After settling in Pakistan,
had lost sight of his love for his wife.
Lydia successfully adopted Pakistan's
Usman goes to London but needs to
culture, norms and language but could
be recognized, and eventually realizes
not deny her original existence. This
he has no identity there, so he returns
very phenomenon can be observed in
to Pakistan.
the language of Lydia. She tries to
feels
the
buds
Tree
develops
where
provides
an
great
intimacy
although
of
Lydia
speak Urdu, but somewhere, her
129
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
English language strikes. Lydia does
who changed herself into a local
not signify the specific gulmohar tree
Pakistani. The writer has shown a
planted in a particular location, but
connection between the gulmohar and
rather 'another' tree that was shifted to
Lydia. An Urdu name has been
some foreign land, yet its roots
chosen for the tree, concerning Lydia
remained entrenched in the place it
because she came and settled in
belonged to. It represents how she
Pakistan
moved from Britain to Pakistan for
identity. Her adjustment to a new
love and in search of her identity;
environment and country is linked
although
yet,
with the title of the novella, and this
something was missing that led her to
could be taken as a reason for using a
find the puzzle jigsaw of her life. The
tree's Urdu name language instead of
missing puzzle love made her change
English.
it
was
not
lost
their identity and culture. Even
though
Lydia
faced
also
by
changing
her
Another Gulmohar Tree, by
different
Aamer Hussain, deals with an identity
challenges and displacement crises,
crisis. Identity is who a person is and
she tried to adjust to the Pakistani
where he belongs to. The trait
environment opposite to what she
qualities or beliefs distinguish and
already had. Lydia tried to modify
differentiate an individual's character
herself according to the culture of
or personality. An identity crisis is a
Pakistan, and later, Pakistan provided
period of uncertainty or confusion in
her with a proper place and platform
a person's life. The problem occurs
to show her talent resulting in her
when a person's identity becomes
success.
insecure and unstable; it is formed
Aamer Hussein (2012) has
when an individual interacts with
chosen the Urdu word gulmohar
people and society. Post-colonial
instead of Royal Poinciana because
identities
Lydia can easily be associated with
interactions
gulmohar. Lydia was an English lady
identities, including cultural, national,
130
are
based
between
on
cultural
different
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
ethnic,
and
gender
as
perspective. The novel, Ice Candy
portrayed in Usman and Lydia's
Man, throws light on the concerns of
characters. He was born, he told her,
Parsi
in
the
contemporary
in a village in Punjab, and brought up
continent
and
their
by his maternal grandparents in
alienation and loss of belongingness in
Multan, as his mother had died when
a foreign land amidst different warring
he was a child and his father refused
communities. The novel's characters
to know him. In the novella, the
are unable to identify themselves in
characters have been going through
the story as it has been seen that the
an identity crisis, Usman was brought
ice candy man keeps changing his
up by his maternal grandparents in
appearance according to the situation.
Multan as his mother passed away
In general, Hybridity refers to the
and his father refused to take his
mixing of something. Concerning
custody. When Usman was twelve
Post-colonialism, Hybridity is the
years old, he was sent to his father in
mixture
Rawalpindi after the death of his
cultures and their attributes. Cultural
maternal grandfather. He lived in
identity
Multan, but later on, he moved to
contradictory and ambivalent spaces,
Rawalpindi.
he
as Homi K. Bhabha states that the in-
moved to London and then returned
between space carries the significance
to Pakistan, he did not know where he
of culture. He presented the ideas of
belonged or his real place to live. This
Hybridity. According to him, when
situation shows the identity crisis
discussing Hybridity, contemporary
because Usman does not have an
cultural discourse cannot escape the
identity of his own; he neither
connection with the racial categories
belongs to his grandparents nor his
of the past in which Hybridity had
father.
such a clear racial meaning. In Post-
Similarly,
factors,
when
of
eastern
always
feelings
and
subof
western
emerges
in
Bapsi Sidhwa deals with the
colonialism, Hybridity is the cross-
idea of identity crisis from a different
cultural exchange and the collision of
131
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
two cultures. In this novella, the
"In 1947 he'd seen some rich Sindhi
culture of London and Pakistan
Hindus leave for Bombay, and some
collide.
beliefs,
wealthy Muslims from Bombay, the
cultures, religious values and identity
United Provinces, and Hyderabad
get
take their homes and their position.
Both
countries'
overlapped.
perspectives
are
Hybrid
cultural
associated
with
colonialism and globalization.
Usman, the protagonist was a
But what had touched him most were
the accounts of the ignorant and the
simple
who
travelled
enormous
Pakistani writer who wrote stories
distances…" (Hussein, 2012). It has
and articles for journals in Pakistan.
been analyzed that
He went to London to earn as much
migrated from Pakistan to India and
money as he could to upgrade his
vice versa faced many troubles during
living. People are humdrum about
displacement.
achieving the best, no matter what
through an identity crisis; they could
sacrifices they have to endure and can
not recognize themselves, whether
even demand sacrifices on a personal
Pakistani or Indian. And had to
and societal level; a man also
sacrifice their land and families and
sacrifices
self-respect.
compromise their identities to get a
Accordingly, Usman also had to face
place to survive. Secondly, they faced
all these troubles to achieve his goals;
Hybridity, the mixture of both states'
while going to London, he met an
cultures
identity crisis and Hybridity.
questions began to arise regarding the
his
and
people who
Firstly,
they
traditions.
went
Many
At the time of partition in
identification of people who they
1947, twelve million people were
were and where did they belong.
displaced only in the divided province
Everyone had to create his own
of Punjab; up to twenty million
identity ignoring being rich or poor.
people migrated to the sub-continent.
This reflects the challenges faced by
This was one of the largest and most
people
rapid migrations in human history.
distances that Usman had witnessed.
132
who
travelled
enormous
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
Sadat
Hasan
has
Is this where our paths separate,
portrayed the themes of identity,
then, Mr Usman? In three days,
separation and partition in his story,
he would leave. 'Or is there
Toba Tek Singh, where the nationality
somewhere left for us to go?' 'I
of people is being questioned. This
am eleven years older than you.
tragic story is set in a mental asylum
'he'd been quiet for a quarter of
and is a powerful satire on the
an hour, so long that she
relationship
and
thought he'd taken her words
Pakistan. He proposed that after the
literally, and she hadn't tried to
division of the Indian administration
fill the silence with a question
was so chaotic, many individuals
or a quip. 'And even though I've
needed to hold on to find out if they
been separated from my wife for
had to resettle in India or Pakistan.
more than ever lived with her,
The story revolves around identity,
she and my sons are still my
Hybridity
responsibility…
between
and
Manto
India
confusion.
Bishen
Singh is a character who wants to
(Hussein, 2012).
know which country Toba Tek Singh
Being a tree so engrossed in
belongs to. This is the most important
his roots, Usman could not deny his
issue
more
responsibilities towards his family,
importantly, Bishen represents the
but at the same time, the fruit of
people of India and Pakistan who
Lydia's love was ripening on the
remain stateless in their resettlement.
branches of Usman's heart. He felt
Manto
that he could not fit in London; his
for
Bishen,
may
be
but
ridiculing
both
governments over their handling of
identity
repatriation. He is exploring the
Pakistan, and how he could settle in
theme of identity; the people are
Pakistan cannot make him pay in
searching
individuality,
London. Usman is a hybrid character
whether they belong to Pakistan or
who returns to his homeland. Even
India.
though he was in London, he spent
for
their
and
origin
were
from
133
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
time with Lydia there but was still
married to a Pakistani and living in a
worried about his children and wife.
new place, leaving her more tattered.
Wherever a person physically is in
Lydia can also be compared with the
this world, he is always anxious for
Gulmohar tree, which lives elsewhere
his family and their future because a
but belongs to another land.
tree cannot survive without its roots,
Usman being naive, decided
regardless of its wide and healthy
to search for his identity in another
branches. Survival of Usman in
country. He went to London, finding
London became difficult as he was
the success he had always dreamt of.
not customary to live there and
Every person has desires that he
decided to return to his traditional life
wants to be fulfilled. The situation
and strengthen the roots of his tree. A
reveals that one should first be able to
major difference between the culture
learn the language of his motherland.
of Pakistan and London is the family
Instead of finding his identity in
bond that is a utopia for people living
London, Usman should have searched
in London.
for it in his own country. "I just
Lydia being half Georgian and
couldn't convey the voices in my head
Scottish, was also a hybrid. The
in English, he answered. 'And who'd
diversity of her parents was also the
want to know about my people here?
reason for her combination, as her
..." (Hussein, 2012). He had sharp
parents belonged to two different
expertise in English, but the identity,
backgrounds. “She told him about his
worth, and belief that Pakistan had
comfortable childhood, spent between
provided him, no other place would
Chiswick and Hamisphere, though
give him. Usman had to compromise
she felt there was little to tell... Her
his self-respect as well as his identity
Scottish
devoutly
in the exploration of his goals. He
Catholic…" (Hussein, 2012). Her
also compromised his relationships
uncertainty ended not just at being
when he left his wife and children
hybrid at birth but after getting
behind in search of his identity. Later,
134
mother
was
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
he realized that Pakistan was his
husband to Catholicism, but Lydia
place, his motherland, not London.
already connected with Mark and is
The opportunities which a native
identified as his wife. Lydia was
country can provide a person cannot
known as Mark's wife; it was her
find such chances somewhere else.
identity that she belonged to Mark.
Marriage is the decision of a
She was known by her husband's
person's life that one should take
name and his identity. Their parents
according to his own will. Two
of Lydia wanted her to marry
people
according
personally
recognize
this
to
their
cultural
and
relationship; it establishes rights and
religious rituals in the church. This
obligations
"But
shows that every person has the right
would the church recognize her
to choose their religion and beliefs;
marriage? Her mother never had. Her
no one can be forced to accept a
father was an agnostic born into the
religion. Lydia's parents were strict
Orthodox sect; she had married Mark
Catholics and belonged to different
in registry office, promising, because
places; due to their hybridity issues,
of her mother's pleas, to convert her
Lydia also wanted to escape from all
Protestant
husband
into
these circumstances. On the other
Catholicism…"
(Hussein,
2012).
hand, her toxic husband was the
After getting married, the woman's
reason for her divorce, which was
identity
her
also why Lydia decided to leave the
husband's essence. She gets known by
country and go to Usman to escape
the name of her husband. Lydia had
from this toxicity of life.
between
gets
linked
them.
with
married Mark according to her own
An
individual
adopts
the
will in a registry office. It depends
culture and traditions according to his
upon a person's destiny and what will
society
happen next. The parents, Lydia were
environment
not happy with her decision, they
horizons. Even after fitting into a new
wanted her to convert her Protestant
environment, a person still stays
and
adjusts
by
to
a
new
exploring
the
135
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
connected with his background from
novel. The writer has compared the
he belongs to. "Usman looked like a
culture of Pakistan with the American
gipsy, another remarked how well he
culture; he has dealt with the issue of
used his fork and knife considering,
identity through the interaction of two
and yet another that he sounded like a
people,
Scotsman and Russian." (Hussein,
America and Changez who belonged
2012). Similarly, in the case of
to Pakistan. Erica is used as a
Usman, it is clear that he changed
metaphor for American culture and
himself, according to the society of
colonialist ideology. Both of them
London. He upgraded his life so that
stand for their respective cultures.
even
were
The relationship between love and
surprised how a Pakistani man could
hatred between the American and
adapt to the habits in such a short
Pakistani cultures has been shown.
period. They feel astonished when
Hamid has raised questions about the
they see that Usman is eating in a
civilization of America. Changez
sophisticated manner, just like the
shows the obsession of Pakistani
English people do. At that time,
culture and individuals for American
Asians were not as educated as
culture by saying that these girls wear
English people. His dress, way of
T-shirts and jeans in mimicry of
speaking, and attire were upgraded;
American culture. He reflects the
this was the element that surprised the
flexible cultural attitude of the people
English how a Pakistani person is an
of Pakistan.
the
English
people
Erica
who
belonged
to
expert in developing the manners of
In the morning, she saw him off,
English people.
dry-eyed, at Waterloo station.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist,
Going to the port and watching
written by Mohsin Hamid, is another
him board his ship would have
example of hybridity and identity
meant
crisis. The hybrid nature of Pakistani
exchanged their addresses at
culture and identity is portrayed in the
dawn, over squares of buttered
136
too
much.
They
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
toasts and cups of the tea he'd
needed
stewed with milk and sugar until
essayist.
it tasted like syrup. They'd said
they'd keep in regular touch. That
was the only promise.
to
become
a
successful
Conclusion
An individual's identity is created
when interacting with his society and
(Hussein, 2012)
people. When a person changes his
Usman realized he had failed
country to search for his identity, he
to find his identity in London and
faces an identity crisis and hybridity
decided to return to Pakistan. He
issues. A person has to modify
started feeling disconnected from the
himself according to the society
country and learned he was made for
where he tries to fit in and adopt a
his homeland. He made his decision
particular place's culture, traditions
to go back to his own country. The
and norms. This research aimed to
author describes a very emotional
find Hybridity and search for identity
scene in the novella in which Lydia
in Another Gulmohar Tree, a novella
and Usman get separated. Lydia sees
by Aamer Hussein (2012). This study
him off to the port, where they
has analyzed the effect of identity
promise each other to stay in regular
crisis on the characters of Usman and
touch. Usman is a hybrid, as later he
Lydia.
chooses to return to his own country.
Moreover, it establishes how
He became a joined individual with
both of the characters are hybrids.
an
an
They changed their identification as
English individual and Pakistani.
they came to set in a new place.
Lydia and Usman kept in contact
Usman went to London aiming to
through letters after he got back to
become a successful writer there, but
Pakistan. Usman started to work in
as he was not able to achieve his
better places; they changed many of
goals in Western society, he decided
his positions, attempting to make
to return back to Pakistan, his
progress in his calling, yet he still
motherland. On the other hand, Lydia,
incredible
experience
as
137
Another Gulmohar Tree – A Tale of Identity and Hybridity
an English lady, developed her
Lydia changed herself according to
interest in a Pakistani boy, Usman,
Pakistani society; she adopted the
and she decided to move to Pakistan
cultures and traditions of the new
in search of her identity. Lydia finds
environment by making a space for
her identity in Pakistan and changes
herself
her religion, language, clothes, and
challenges she experienced to take
everything. She moulds herself into
place in the new country. The study
the new society and challenges
reveals the blending of elements of
everything she faces.
two different cultures. She struggled a
This
study
overcame
all
the
explored
lot and followed the traditional values
Hybridity in the novella characters
of Pakistan by interacting with people
concerning the Theory of Homi K.
there. Lydia was so indulged in
Bhabha.
Pakistani society that she never
It
also
and
discusses
how
the
characters tried to create their own
space in their respective societies.
Usman searched for
wished to return to London.
Hybrid identity emerges when
identity in
identity challenges any culture or
London, but he failed in doing so; this
identity. Their identity of Lydia
made him realize the importance and
developed
significance of his homeland. The
beginning, she was just an English
essence of an individual, which is
girl named Lydia living in London,
continuously
being
affected
by
she was not even an illustrator at that
society,
is
something one
must
time because she had not disclosed it.
discover
through
and
After going to Pakistan and getting
negotiations. They disclosed how the
married to Usman Ali, she changed
sociocultural forces, ethnicity, and
her religion and name to an Islamic
genders
the
name, Rokeya. Her interests gradually
expatriate characters to bring out
developed in the traditional activities
anxieties, Hybridity, alienation, and
she had learnt from others. Later,
identity crisis that they have to face.
along with making her own space, she
138
have
reflection
influenced
with
time.
In
the
Sehar Abbas & Sundus Gohar
adjusted to the Pakistani atmosphere
Dizayi, S. A. H. (2015, February).
and started to bring her talent out.
The crisis of identity in post-
Lydia became a recognized artist in
colonial
Pakistan in search of her identity.
INTCESS15–2nd
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