Diasporic Masculinity in V. S. Naipaul's Magic Seeds

Abstract

The research focuses on V.S. Naipaul's Magic Seeds which subverts the traditional notion of stable masculinity by taking recourse to the nexus between diaspora and masculinity. Willie Chandran, the troubled protagonist, adrifts in a world that seems to contain nothing for him. For his discovery, he moves to different places: London, Africa and India where he is detached from history, language and culture as well his manly character is questioned. In Africa, he cannot create his own identity as a male but lives in terms of his wife's identity. Likewise, he goes to India and involves in the guerilla movement there too his identity slips one after another. Because of displacement, he is unable to create his history, culture and a male identity. Returning to London, he comes to realize that he fails to discover himself throughout his life because he is homeless, jobless, missionless and he lacks direction and purpose in his life; that is, Willie's identity is different from that of a traditional man.