INTIMACY CRISIS AND EMOTIONAL ISOLATION IN DIASPORIC MARRIAGE: A CRITICAL READING OF THE IMMIGRANT BY MANJU KAPUR

Abstract

This research article examines the themes of marital intimacy, emotional alienation, and diasporic adjustment in The Immigrant by Manju Kapur. The novel presents the experiences of Nina and Ananda, whose arranged marriage becomes a site of psychological tension, cultural negotiation, and personal dissatisfaction. While marriage initially appears to promise stability, companionship, and social respect, it gradually reveals emotional distance and sexual incompatibility that create a sense of loneliness for both partners. The study explores how migration intensifies marital strain by placing individuals in unfamiliar cultural surroundings where emotional dependence on the spouse becomes stronger. Nina’s struggle to adapt to life in Canada, combined with unmet expectations within marriage, highlights the complexities of diasporic identity and gender roles. At the same time, Ananda’s experiences reflect the internal conflict between traditional values and Western influences. The article argues that the narrative questions the conventional belief that marriage naturally ensures fulfilment, suggesting instead that relationships often survive through compromise, adjustment, and endurance rather than romantic love. By focusing on intimacy crisis and emotional isolation, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of diasporic marriage as both a personal and cultural negotiation.