Syrian Refugees in Mind: Migration - Identity - Narrative - Discourse

Abstract

This dissertation explores the intricate relationships among identity, sense of self, and refugee discourse through the lens of Syrian refugees’ personal narratives. Drawing on a rich corpus of memoirs published in English and Arabic after the onset of the Syrian crisis in 2011, this research employs narrative and thematic analysis alongside discourse studies to investigate the ways in which the experiences of displacement and resettlement shape the identities of Syrian refugees. Anchored in the theories of narrative identity and identity dilemmas, the study is structured around three pivotal research questions. The first research question investigates the thematic patterns emerging from refugees’ narratives within the Syrian context, focusing on themes of home, community, and war. This inquiry aims to understand how these themes contribute to the construction and representation of refugees’ identities and their sense of self. The second question extends the analysis to the post-displacement phase, examining the challenges and adjustments that refugees face in new environments. By analysing themes of journey, new places, and the experience of being a refugee, the study seeks to illuminate the evolution of narrative identities amidst the turmoil of forced migration. The final research question synthesizes these insights to interrogate the notion of refugee discourse and to define its prominent features that highlight the concept of place, the spectrum of time, the landscape of resilience, the realm of absurdity, and the evolution of self. Through its exploration of Syrian refugees’ memoirs, this dissertation contributes to a deep understanding of how forced migration affects individual identities and the complex processes of identity reconstruction in the face of adversity. By weaving together personal narratives, thematic patterns, and discursive features, this research sheds light on the resilience, challenges, and existential dilemmas faced by refugees, offering valuable insights into the broader discourses of identity and displacement.