Assimilation in Literature & Literary Theory

Assimilation: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “assimilation” originates from the Latin word “assimilare,” which means to make similar or to liken. It entered the English language in the 15th century and has been used in various contexts, including cultural, linguistic, and biological assimilation.

Meanings and Concept:

• Cultural: Refers to the process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs, beliefs, and practices of another culture.
• Linguistic: Involves the adoption of a new language, often by immigrants, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their native language.
• Biological : Describes the absorption and integration of nutrients into an organism’s body after digestion, a process essential for growth and development.
• Societal: Encompasses the integration of individuals or groups into a larger society, often involving the adoption of societal norms and values.
• Concept in Sociology: In sociology, assimilation is a theoretical framework that examines the process through which minority groups adopt the cultural traits of the dominant culture, leading to a blending of the two.
• Psychological: In psychology, it can refer to the cognitive process of incorporating new information into existing knowledge structures.

Assimilation: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Assimilation, as a theoretical term, refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural, linguistic, or behavioral traits of a dominant society, often resulting in a blending or integration of the two. This concept is frequently explored in sociology to understand how minority groups navigate and absorb the norms and values of a larger, more influential culture. It encompasses both conscious and unconscious changes in attitudes, behaviors, and identity as individuals become more closely aligned with the dominant societal norms.

Assimilation: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists	Works	Argument
Emile Durkheim	The Division of Labor in Society	Durkheim argued that it is a necessary function for societal cohesion, as shared values and norms promote social solidarity, creating a unified and stable community.
Milton Gordon	Assimilation in American Life	Gordon proposed a seven-stage model of it, highlighting processes such as cultural assimilation, structural assimilation, and marital assimilation in the American context.
Robert Park	Race and Culture	Park’s assimilation theory emphasizes the role of urbanization and intergroup contact, positing that assimilating occurs through competition, conflict, and accommodation in diverse urban environments.
Herbert Blumer	Race Prejudice as a Sense of Group Position	Blumer contributed the concept of “group position,” suggesting that prejudices arise from competition over resources, influencing the assimilation process and intergroup relations.
John Berry	Acculturation and Psychological Adaptation	Berry’s work focuses on acculturation, exploring how individuals manage dual cultural identities and adapt psychologically, providing insights into the complexities of assimilating with other groups.

Assimilation: Major Characteristics

1. Cultural Adoption: Involves the adoption of customs, beliefs, and practices from a dominant culture by individuals or groups.
2. Linguistic Integration: Refers to the process of acquiring and using a new language, often leading to the gradual decline of one’s native language.
3. Social Integration: Encompasses the incorporation of individuals or groups into the social fabric of a larger society, involving the acceptance of societal norms and values.
4. Normative Alignment: Implies the adjustment of behavior and attitudes to align with the dominant cultural norms prevalent in the host society.
5. Identity Transformation: Entails changes in personal and group identity as individuals navigate and adopt elements of the dominant culture, potentially altering self-perception.
6. Structural: Involves the integration of individuals or groups into the economic and institutional structures of the dominant society.
7. Intergroup Contact: Suggests that assimilation often occurs through increased interaction and contact between different cultural or ethnic groups.
8. Adaptation Strategies: Encompasses the various ways individuals or communities adapt to new cultural environments, ranging from assimilation to maintaining distinct cultural practices.
9. Generational Shifts: Recognizes that assimilation may vary across generations, with the first generation often experiencing distinct challenges compared to subsequent generations born into the adopted culture.
10. Models: Describes the different theoretical frameworks proposed by scholars, such as Gordon’s seven-stage model, to understand and analyze the assimilation process.

Assimilation: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Assimilation
Postcolonial Theory	Examines how assimilation is intertwined with colonial legacies, exploring the impact on identity, language, and cultural hybridity in postcolonial literature.
Cultural Studies	Explores how assimilation is portrayed in literature, considering its implications on power dynamics, representation, and the negotiation of cultural identities within diverse societies.
Identity Theory	Focuses on the depiction of identity transformation through assimilation, analyzing characters’ struggles, conflicts, and self-discovery as they navigate cultural shifts in literary works.
Feminist Literary Theory	Investigates the intersection of gender and assimilation, exploring how women’s experiences differ within assimilative processes and the impact on their roles, agency, and representation in literature.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Examines the psychological dimensions of assimilating in characters, delving into the subconscious motivations, conflicts, and transformations depicted in literary narratives.
Marxist Literary Theory	Analyzes assimilative behavior in relation to economic and social structures, exploring how class dynamics influence characters’ experiences and the portrayal of societal power imbalances in literature.

These literary theories provide diverse lenses through which scholars analyze and interpret the representation of assimilation in literary works, offering insights into its cultural, social, and psychological dimensions.

Assimilation: Application in Critiques

1. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri:
   • Application: The novel explores the assimilation of Gogol Ganguli, an Indian-American protagonist, into American society. The narrative delves into Gogol’s struggle with his dual identity, the clash of cultural expectations, and his journey toward assimilating into American culture while grappling with the preservation of his Bengali heritage.
2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
   • Application: The novel critically examines the experiences of Ifemelu, a Nigerian immigrant to the United States, as she undergoes a process of assimilating with other. Adichie explores the challenges of cultural adaptation, racial identity, and the impact of societal expectations on an individual’s sense of self within the context of immigration.
3. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan:
   • Application: Tan’s novel explores the assimilating experiences of Chinese-American families, emphasizing the generational gap in attitudes toward assimilation. The narrative delves into the complexities of cultural heritage, language, and familial relationships, offering a nuanced portrayal of how assimilation affects different generations within an immigrant community.
4. White Teeth by Zadie Smith:
   • Application: Smith’s novel delves into the assimilating immigrant families in London, focusing on characters of various ethnic backgrounds. The narrative critiques the impact of cultural assimilation on individual and collective identities, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise in the process of adapting to a new cultural environment.

In these literary works, assimilation serves as a central theme, offering rich material for critiques that explore the nuances, challenges, and consequences of individuals and communities navigating the complex dynamics of assimilation in diverse cultural contexts.

Assimilation: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Acculturation	The process of cultural exchange and adaptation between different cultures.
Integration	The act of combining or coordinating different elements into a unified whole.
Cultural Convergence	The merging of cultural traits and practices, often resulting in a more homogenous culture.
Homogenization	The process of making something uniform or similar, especially in cultural or social contexts.
Amalgamation	The blending or merging of different elements to form a harmonious whole.
Incorporation	The act of including and absorbing something into a larger whole or structure.
Assimulation	A term used interchangeably with assimilation, referring to the absorption into a larger group.
Conformity	Adjusting one’s behavior, beliefs, or values to align with the prevailing norms of a society.
Melting Pot	A metaphor for a society where different cultural groups blend together, losing distinctiveness.
Syncretism	The fusion of different cultural elements to create a new, harmonious cultural expression.

Assimilation: Suggested Readings

1. Blumer, Herbert. Race Prejudice as a Sense of Group Position. Harper & Row, 1958.
2. Berry, John. Acculturation and Psychological Adaptation. Psychology Press, 1997.
3. Durkheim, Emile. The Division of Labor in Society. Free Press, 1933.
4. Gordon, Milton M. Assimilation in American Life: The Role of Race, Religion, and National Origins. Oxford University Press, 1964.
5. Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
6. Park, Robert E. Race and Culture. Free Press, 1950.
7. Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. Vintage, 2000.