Diasporic Identity: Disparity and Dislocation in Benyamin’s Goat Days

Abstract

The influence of literature in contemporary society cannot be underestimated. Each writer uses literature as a means of self-expression. Some books serve as a reflection of society, and offering the readers an insight into the world around them. Goat Days by Benyamin is one of such books. This paper discusses the social concerns and problems narrated in his novel Goat Days. This study focuses on the theme of migration, violence, alienation, homelessness and identity crisis. Goat Days is the translation of the famous Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham which is translated into English by Professor Joseph Koyipally. The protagonist of the novel symbolizes the aspirations of all Malayalees seeking a prosperous future that they believe can be found in the Gulf countries. The background of the novel set in the Oil Era in the Gulf countries, provides the fantasy of a stable future for every ordinary man.