ABSTRACT

Exile— once used to signify the vent of a political banishment— has now evolved to incorporate a wide range of human experiences. It has often been portrayed in literature as a romantic or tragic tale, though in reality, there is no simple way to describe the truly complex experience an exiled individual undergoes. This article aims to explore the intersection of exile and literature through an investigation of the lives of writers Joseph Brodsky, Aime Cesaire, and Elena Ferrante. These writers all operate from a place of exile, and together they demonstrate the multifaceted face of exile. As the exiled experience gives a way to a dynamic and contrapuntal perception of self, the above writers use language as a tool for exploring and sharing their unique visions of the world around them.

Joseph Brodsky demonstrates the ability of translation to create a homeland made up of fragmented cultures by preserving memories of his past. Aime Cesaire uses his mastery of the French colonial language as a means of resistance, reimagining his lost homeland without the interference of European colonization. As a pseudonymous writer, Elena Ferrante explores the face of an ever-changing identity and the preservation of her own sense of self through a disassociation with her works. These writers show that exile can never be easily defined, as it encompasses a multitude of experiences, from irrecoverable losses to immeasurable liberties.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33682/cfpm-m8ng
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HOW TO CITE (CHICAGO):
Procanik, Kayleen. “The Language of Exile.” The Interdependent 5 (2024): 216-239. https://doi.org/10.33682/cfpm-m8ng.