The Problem of Integration and the Search for Identity of Immigrants in a Colonizing Country in the Story Named Anne Ici-Sélima Là-Bas

Abstract

Anne ici-Selima là-bas - the story of an immigrant family searching for identity (in the country of their former colonizer) The novel Anne ici-Sélima là-bas is one of the novels that intend to contribute to the improvement of the intercultural competence and empathy of its readers by depicting cultural and identity based problems of both people living in former colonies as well as immigrants. At the same time it particularly draws attention to the problems and difficulties immigrants experience in social life. Focusing on all these problems, it becomes obvious that the author, Marie Feraud, attaches importance to the enhancement of the cross-cultural dialogue, the reduction of prejudices and the necessity for mutual understanding and cultural empathy among young people. Oscillating between two cultures and face to face with numerous problems they do not know how to deal with, immigrants continuously struggle to integrate into the society they are supposed to live in. But all their efforts are in vain since they finally realize that both societies do not accept them and they are neither French nor Algerian. In this dissertation, we will concentrate on the analysis of some topics highlighted in the novel such as language and the search for identity and integration. Does the novel propose a solution to the identity problem of immigrants? Being called 'Anne' in France and 'Selima' in Algeria, for the young girl in the novel there seems to be no way out. © Revue du Gerflint (France) - Éléments sous droits d'auteur.