Theme of Diaspora and Exile in M.G. Vassanji’s The In-Between World of Vikram Lall and The Gunny Sack

Abstract

Exile is the migration of people from homeland to host land. Such a passage may be
voluntary, involuntary or a combination of both factors. In the novels of M.G. Vassanji,
there are many varieties of migrations and exiles. The protagonists in his novels yearn
to be treated as African natives. Yet, this is just a wishful dream. The plight and
predicament of these diasporic settlers is marked by discrimination. They desire to
belong but the Africans do not treat them as natives even though they were born in
Africa. M.G. Vassanji has portrayed the experiences of the Indian Diaspora in East
Africa whose identities are affected by historical and political elements. His prose is
successful in capturing the pangs of dilemma which vex a diasporic identity, be it the
old diasporic subjectivity or the new generation. His works depict the double migration
of his South Asian characters.