The Construction of a Homeland with Mobility in Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere

Xi Chen

doi:10.54691/fhss.v3i7.5304

Authors

Xi Chen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/fhss.v3i7.5304

Keywords:

Celeste Ng; Little Fires Everywhere; Mobility; Homeland; Automobile; Place.

Abstract

In contemporary society, with the expansion of human communication and the integration of diverse cultures, the homeland consciousness has also changed. The construction of homeland is no longer limited to residences in a geographical and spatial sense, but can be aligned with individual life experiences. In Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, the protagonist Mia chooses a traveling living style and constructs a homeland with openness and mobility in different geographical spaces. Their life experiences of driving trips reflect the representation of the mobility of homeland. Mia and her daughter's experiences of diaspora are geographically dispersed. In the novel, the automobile, as a vehicle of mobility, integrates elements of body and technology, autonomy and mobility, creating a family space with mobility and enriching the meaning of "homeland". The construction of homeland with mobility also provides the possibility of realizing the ideal of "without a home anywhere, there is a home everywhere" for the diaspora group.

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