My term paper is aimed at finding out, how Meena’s identity changes throughout the book and how growing up with two cultures affects this process. The analysis mainly sections into four parts: The first step will be to explain Freud’s fundamental theory, including his significant technical terms. After that, I will explain how the English and Indian culture are presented in the novel. Then I will transfer Freud’s hypotheses to Meena’s behaviour by finding appropriate examples in the novel. In the end I will complete my work by summing up my findings as well as reflecting them.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Human Identity in Theory
3. Identity in Anita and Me
3.1 British and Indian Identity in Anita and Me
3.2 Meena’s Identity
4 Conclusion
5 Bibliography
Objectives and Core Themes
This academic paper examines the psychological development of the protagonist Meena in Meera Syal’s novel "Anita and Me". Using Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical model of the "Provinces of the Mind"—specifically the id, ego, and superego—the study explores how growing up in a bicultural environment influences Meena’s identity formation as she navigates the conflicting expectations of her British and Indian heritage.
- Psychoanalytical investigation of identity based on Sigmund Freud’s theory.
- The role of cultural tension and balancing act within the individual.
- Meena’s identity evolution through her interactions with peers and family.
- The impact of migration and heritage on adolescent character development.
- The significance of turning points, such as the arrival of her grandmother, on her self-perception.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Meena’s Identity
The first scene I want to have a close reading of, starts when Meena explains Mrs. Worrall that she has relatives to whom she refers as uncles and aunts, but also addresses to friends of their parents as if they would be related to each other (Syal, p. 29 - 30). She would not want to miss them, although they are always on her parent’s side when it comes to criticism about what she is doing wrong: But I could not imagine existing without them, although I hated the way they continually interfered in my upbringing, inevitably backing up my parent’s complaints (Syal, p. 30). Those complaints could be for example, that she should dress and behave more girlish and in that way conservatively and gently (Syal, p. 30). It bothers Meena to hear this, but she restricts herself from answering the parent’s friends back, because they share many memories with her parents and have a long friendship with them (Syal, p. 31). When applying Freud’s Provinces of the Mind to Meena in this situation, it is possible to say that the English part of her super-ego wants to do what it wants to and feels the need to rebel against the parents and the parent’s friends. Meena’s English identity dislikes that she is criticised, no matter if the criticism is justified or not. It feels oppressed by the way that Meena’s parents want Meena to be like, because they ignore the fact that Meena is a unique human being with an own individuality who wants to express herself with precisely this identity.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the main research question regarding Meena's identity development in a bicultural context and outlines the methodology based on Freud’s psychoanalytical model.
2. Human Identity in Theory: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation by explaining Freud's concept of the "Provinces of the Mind," detailing the roles of the id, ego, and superego in shaping human personality.
3. Identity in Anita and Me: This section applies the theoretical framework to the novel, analyzing how Meena’s identity interacts with both British and Indian cultural influences.
3.1 British and Indian Identity in Anita and Me: This chapter examines the cultural stereotypes present in the novel and how Meena’s surroundings, specifically her family versus her peers, shape her understanding of both identities.
3.2 Meena’s Identity: A detailed analysis of specific plot points and Meena's personal development, focusing on the mental conflicts between her desire to integrate into British peer groups and her underlying Indian roots.
4 Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes findings, asserting that Meena eventually learns to balance her bicultural identity, thereby overcoming the internal tension within her superego.
5 Bibliography: This section lists all primary and secondary sources cited within the term paper.
Keywords
Meena, Anita and Me, Identity, Psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, Id, Ego, Superego, Biculturalism, Migration, Adolescence, Cultural Tension, Meera Syal, Indian Identity, British Identity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates how the protagonist Meena’s identity evolves throughout the novel "Anita and Me" as she deals with the challenges of growing up between two distinct cultures.
Which psychoanalytical model is applied?
The analysis utilizes Sigmund Freud’s theoretical framework of the "Provinces of the Mind," specifically focusing on the interactions between the id, ego, and superego.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The main goal is to determine how Meena manages the conflict between her Indian heritage and the British societal environment in which she lives.
How is the methodology structured?
The author first explains fundamental psychoanalytical terminology, defines the representation of British and Indian cultures in the novel, and then applies these theories to specific character behaviors and scenes.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include cultural identity, the search for belonging, rebellion against parental authority, peer pressure, and the impact of migration on second-generation immigrants.
How are the characters of Meena and Anita used in the analysis?
Meena is analyzed through the lens of her internal development, while Anita serves as a focal point for the British peer influence that prompts Meena to temporarily reject her Indian identity.
What role does Meena's grandmother (Nanima) play in the text?
The grandmother represents a critical turning point in the novel; her arrival helps Meena reconnect with her Indian roots through storytelling and language, leading to a more balanced sense of self.
How does the author interpret the friendship between Meena and Anita?
The paper concludes that the friendship was largely one-sided and artificial, as Meena felt pressured to suppress her true personality and Indian identity to achieve acceptance within Anita's group.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2017, Growing up with Two Cultures. A Psychoanalytical Reading of "Anita and Me" by Meera Syal, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1321815
