The Impact of Immigration on Identity Crisis: An Analysis of Aravind Adiga’s Amnesty

U. S. Mithun Krishnaa
II MA ENGLISH, Register Number: 23083155101811020,
S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil – 629 002.
(Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli – 627 017)

Abstract
Arvind Adiga’s novel Amnesty explores the complexities of immigration, identity crisis, and moral dilemmas through the story of Dhananjaya Rajarathnam, known as Danny, an undocumented immigrant in Australia. Danny’s life is marked by the constant fear of deportation, forcing him to navigate the precarious balance between survival and ethical responsibility. This paper examines the novel’s engagement with the themes of immigration and identity loss, arguing that the notion of “illegality” is a socio-political construct rather than an inherent condition of human existence. Through a critical lens, this study investigates how Adiga portrays alienation, hybridity, and cultural displacement faced by immigrants in host societies. The paper further explores the psychological toll of statelessness and the moral dilemmas faced by undocumented individuals, highlighting the contradictions between legal systems and humanistic values. This research situates Amnesty within the broader discussions of migration, nationalism, and the ethics of belonging. It highlights the need to reexamine borders and the rights of displaced individuals in a world that is increasingly influenced by globalisation and restrictive immigration policies.

Keywords: Identity crisis, Cultural hybridity, Alienation, Cultural conflict, Ethics, Immigration.