LANGUAGE IN INDIA

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Volume 26:7 July 2026
ISSN 1930-2940

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Erasure and Reconstruction of Identity in Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient

Dr. P. Sakthivel and
Dr. N. K. Vivekanandhan

Abstract

Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient offers a profound exploration of identity, memory, and loss through its fragmented narrative and complex characters. This paper investigates the processes of erasure and reconstruction of identity experienced by the novel's central characters within the context of war, love, and displacement. Employing a close textual analysis and critical theoretical perspectives, the study examines how Ondaatje portrays identity as fluid and fragmented. The findings reveal that identity in The English Patient is not a fixed construct but a dynamic process shaped by personal and historical trauma.

Keywords:Identity, Reconstruction, Post-colonialism, Erasure, Trauma, Memory, Narrative Fragmentation.

Introduction

Identity, a fundamental aspect of human experience, is often disrupted in times of crisis. In The English Patient, Michael Ondaatje delves into the multifaceted ways identity is erased and reconstructed amid the turbulence of World War II. The novel's characters navigate fractured selves as they grapple with love, loss, and memory. This novel employs a non-linear narrative to explore identity as fluid, multifaceted, and shaped by historical trauma. This paper aims to analyze how Ondaatje represents identity as both a site of erasure and a canvas for reconstruction. It also investigates how the novel's characters erase and reconstruct their identities as they cope with war's aftermath.

Literature Review

Research on The English Patient has extensively discussed its thematic concerns, narrative structure, and historical context. Ashcroft, Griffiths, and Tiffin (2002) argue that the novel reflects postcolonial anxieties about identity and displacement. Similarly, D'Haen (1999) highlights the text's exploration of memory and the interplay between personal and collective histories. Psychoanalytic readings, such as those by Bowie (2000), have emphasized the role of trauma and amnesia in the characters' identity crises. This study builds on these insights but focuses specifically on the interplay between erasure and reconstruction of identity, contributing a unique perspective to the ongoing discourse.

Methodology

This research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing textual analysis to examine key passages in The English Patient. Postcolonial theory provides a lens for understanding the characters' experiences of displacement and cultural hybridity, while psychoanalytic theory sheds light on the psychological dimensions of memory and trauma. The study also incorporates secondary sources to contextualize the analysis within broader literary and theoretical frameworks.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. P. Sakthivel
Assistant Professor
Department of English
Government College of Engineering
Salem - 636011, Tamil Nadu.
sakthivelpenglish@gmail.com
&
Dr. N. K. Vivekanandhan
Assistant Professor
Department of English
Government College of Engineering
Salem - 636011, Tamil Nadu.
vivekengslm@gmail.com

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