Name Journeys (Raman Mundair)

This section provides analysis for the poem Name Journeys by Raman Mundair. Name Journeys by Raman Mundair explores themes of identity, cultural displacement, and the struggle to maintain one's heritage in the face of assimilation. The speaker reflects on the significance of their name, using imagery and references to Indian mythology to illustrate their experience of migration and the loss of cultural roots. The poem conveys a deep sense of connection to the speaker’s Indian heritage, while also portraying the challenges of adapting to a new culture in England, where their identity and name are misunderstood and mispronounced. You can read the poem below followed by detailed analysis. 

Name Journeys by Raman Mundair

Like Rama I have felt the Wilderness 
but I have not been blessed 
with a companion as sweet as she,
Sita; loyal pure and true of heart.
Like her, I have been chastened 
through trial by fire. Sita and I,
spiritual sari - sisters entwined 
in an infinite silk that would swathe
Draupadi’s blush. My name
a journey between rough and smooth,
an interlacing of banyan leaves with sugar
cane. Woven tapestries of Journeys;
traveling from South 
to North, where the Punjabi in my mouth 
became dislodged as milk teeth fell 
and hit infertile English soil. 
My mouth toiled to accommodate 
the rough musicality of Mancunian vows
and my name became a stumble
that filled English mouths 
with a discordant rhyme, an exotic 
rhythm dulled, my voice a mystery 
in the Anglo Echo chamber - 
void of history and memory.

Analysis of Name Journeys by Raman Mundair

Key Themes

Cultural Identity and Displacement: The poem explores the speaker's experience of being caught between two cultures. The speaker’s Indian heritage, represented through mythological references and linguistic imagery, contrasts with the sense of dislocation they feel in England. The metaphor of the name becoming "a stumble" illustrates the speaker’s struggle to reconcile their Indian identity with the English environment.

“My name became a stumble that filled English mouths with a discordant rhyme” conveys how the speaker’s name, and by extension their identity, is mishandled and misunderstood in the new cultural context.

Heritage and Mythology: The poem is rich with references to Indian mythology, particularly the figures of Rama and Sita. These references emphasise the speaker’s connection to their cultural heritage and their sense of shared experience with mythological figures. The mention of Sita, who underwent trials, draws a parallel between her struggles and the speaker’s own challenges in navigating identity and cultural displacement.

“Like Rama I have felt the Wilderness” links the speaker’s personal journey with that of the mythological figure Rama, symbolising feelings of exile and isolation.

“Sita and I, spiritual sari-sisters entwined” reflects the speaker’s identification with Sita’s loyalty and purity, while highlighting the trials both have faced.

Language and Loss: The loss of the Punjabi language is a significant aspect of the speaker’s journey. The shift from speaking Punjabi to English is symbolic of a broader loss of cultural roots, as the speaker’s voice and identity become "dislodged" in a foreign environment. The transition from Punjabi to English is portrayed as difficult and painful, with the speaker’s name and language being mispronounced and misunderstood.

“the Punjabi in my mouth became dislodged as milk teeth fell” suggests the natural yet painful process of losing one's first language, as the speaker's native tongue is replaced by English, a language that feels foreign and infertile.

Assimilation and Resistance: The speaker’s attempt to assimilate into English culture is met with difficulty, as they feel out of place in a society that cannot fully understand or accept their identity. Despite this, there is a sense of resistance in the speaker’s voice, as they continue to assert the importance of their heritage and name.

“my voice a mystery in the Anglo Echo chamber – void of history and memory” suggests that the speaker’s identity is not recognised or valued in the new cultural environment, but they retain a strong connection to their personal history and heritage.

Key Imagery and Symbols

Mythological Figures (Rama and Sita): The figures of Rama and Sita, central to Hindu mythology, are used as symbols of loyalty, purity, and endurance. The speaker identifies with both figures, suggesting that they, like Rama, have faced a metaphorical "wilderness" of displacement and isolation, while also enduring trials, like Sita.

“Like Rama I have felt the Wilderness” and “Sita and I, spiritual sari-sisters entwined” both connect the speaker’s personal experiences to mythological figures, imbuing their journey with deeper spiritual and cultural significance.

Silk and Tapestries: The imagery of silk and woven tapestries symbolises the speaker’s identity as something intricate and multi-layered, made up of various cultural elements. The "spiritual sari-sisters" and the "woven tapestries of Journeys" suggest that the speaker’s heritage and experiences are intertwined, forming a complex and rich identity that resists simplification.

“an interlacing of banyan leaves with sugar cane” represents the blending of different aspects of the speaker’s heritage, symbolising both strength (banyan leaves) and sweetness (sugar cane).

Language and Teeth: The metaphor of milk teeth falling as the Punjabi language becomes "dislodged" symbolises the loss of childhood innocence and the speaker’s native tongue. The falling teeth evoke the natural process of change and growth, but also suggest a painful loss, as the speaker struggles to maintain their cultural identity in an English-speaking environment.

“the Punjabi in my mouth became dislodged as milk teeth fell” signifies the erosion of the speaker's native language and identity as they assimilate into English culture.

The Anglo Echo Chamber: The "Anglo Echo chamber" is a powerful image representing English society as a place where the speaker’s voice is unheard and misunderstood. The chamber is "void of history and memory," symbolising a lack of recognition or respect for the speaker’s cultural heritage. The image emphasises the alienation and isolation the speaker feels in their adopted country.

“my voice a mystery in the Anglo Echo chamber” highlights the speaker’s sense of being silenced or ignored in an environment that does not acknowledge their identity.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or regular metre. This mirrors the fluidity of the speaker’s identity and the complexity of their journey, as they navigate between different cultures and languages.

The poem’s lack of punctuation in certain lines creates a sense of flow, reflecting the continuous and ongoing nature of the speaker’s search for identity and belonging. This also reflects the blending of cultures and experiences, as the speaker moves between different aspects of their heritage.

The use of enjambment throughout the poem emphasises the interconnectedness of the speaker’s thoughts and experiences. The lines flow into each other, reflecting the idea that identity is not fixed but rather constantly evolving and influenced by both past and present.

Tone

Reflective and Nostalgic: The speaker reflects on their journey and the loss of their native language and culture, with a sense of longing for what has been left behind. The tone is introspective, as the speaker considers the impact of migration and assimilation on their identity.

Frustrated but Defiant: There is an undercurrent of frustration as the speaker grapples with the mispronunciation of their name and the misunderstanding of their identity in English society. However, the tone is also defiant, as the speaker asserts the significance of their heritage and resists complete assimilation.

Spiritual and Poetic: The references to Indian mythology and the use of rich, lyrical imagery give the poem a spiritual and poetic quality, suggesting that the speaker’s journey is not just physical but also deeply personal and symbolic.

Key Quotations for Analysis

“Like Rama I have felt the Wilderness”

This line establishes a connection between the speaker and the mythological figure of Rama, symbolising the speaker’s feelings of exile and isolation in a foreign land. The "Wilderness" represents the hardships and challenges of cultural displacement.

“the Punjabi in my mouth became dislodged as milk teeth fell”

This metaphor captures the painful loss of the speaker’s native language as they adapt to English. The image of milk teeth falling suggests the natural process of growing up, but also conveys a sense of loss and disconnection from the speaker’s cultural roots.

“my name became a stumble that filled English mouths with a discordant rhyme”

This line highlights the difficulties the speaker faces in having their name mispronounced and misunderstood in English society. The "discordant rhyme" suggests that the speaker’s identity does not fit easily into the new cultural context, creating a sense of alienation.

“my voice a mystery in the Anglo Echo chamber – void of history and memory”

This image represents the speaker’s experience of being silenced or ignored in English society, where their cultural heritage is not understood or valued. The "Anglo Echo chamber" symbolises the lack of recognition or respect for the speaker’s identity.

Context

Raman Mundair is a British poet, playwright, and artist of Indian heritage, she is disabled, neurodivergent, and identifies as Queer. Her work often explores themes of identity, migration, and cultural displacement, drawing on her own experiences as a member of the South Asian diaspora. In Name Journeys, Mundair reflects on the complexities of navigating between different cultures and languages, as well as the challenges of maintaining one’s heritage in the face of assimilation. The poem also touches on broader themes of colonialism, language, and the impact of migration on personal and cultural identity.

The references to Indian mythology, particularly the figures of Rama and Sita, reflect the poet’s connection to her Indian heritage and the importance of storytelling in shaping identity. The poem also addresses the linguistic challenges faced by migrants, as they adapt to a new language and culture, while grappling with the loss of their native tongue.

Name Journeys by Raman Mundair is a powerful exploration of identity, cultural displacement, and the significance of language in shaping who we are. Through rich imagery and references to Indian mythology, the poem captures the speaker’s experience of migration and the challenges of maintaining one’s cultural roots in a foreign environment. The poem emphasises the importance of names, language, and heritage, while also highlighting the resilience of individuals in the face of cultural assimilation. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of identity and belonging, and the ways in which language and culture shape our sense of self.

You can find analysis of all the AQA Worlds and Lives Anthology Poems here.