Memory and Narrative Time in Bharati Mukherjee's Desirable Daughters - A Narratological Study

Author(s)	Ms. Preetha R, Dr. J. Balasubramaniam
Country	India
Abstract	Narrative time plays a significant role in shaping the structure and meaning of Bharati Mukherjee's Desirable Daughters. The novel departs from a linear chronological pattern and frequently shifts between present experiences and memories of the past. These temporal movements contribute to the representation of personal identity, family history, and cultural memory. This paper examines the use of narrative time in the novel through Gérard Genette's narratological framework, particularly his concepts of order, duration, and frequency. The study focuses on the function of analepsis and memory based narration in the construction of meaning. Through close textual analysis, the paper argues that narrative time serves as a structural device through which the protagonist reconstructs her identity and negotiates the relationship between past and present. The analysis demonstrates that temporal discontinuity is central to the narrative design of the novel and contributes significantly to its exploration of diasporic experience and self understanding.
Keywords	Bharati Mukherjee, Desirable Daughters, Narrative Time, Memory, Analepsis, Narratology
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-24

About AIJFR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9898-79-39-59	editor@aijfr.com

Advanced International Journal for Research