Exile and the Struggle to Belong in "Refugee Boy" by Benjamin Zephaniah

Diploma Thesis from the year 2024 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (Université Félix Houphouet Boigny), language: English, abstract: This paper explores exile and the struggle for belonging in Refugee Boy through a postcolonial lens. It examines how colonial legacies shape forced migration, identity fragmentation, and social exclusion. Through the character of Alem, the novel highlights the emotional and psychological impact of displacement, as well as the challenges of navigating between cultures. Ultimately, the study shows that belonging is not fixed but reconstructed through resilience, human connections, and personal growth in a postcolonial world.