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Al-Qamar
ISSN (Online): 2664-4398 Al-Qamar, Volume 6, Issue 1 (January-March 2023)
ISSN (Print): 2664-438X
www.alqamarjournal.com

Biculturalism Leading to Third Space Identity: A Postcolonial

Analysis of Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees
Muhammad Iqbal
MPhil Scholar, Department of English, Northern University Nowshera
Maham Imran
Lecturer Textile Design, National College of Arts - Rawalpindi Campus
Hassan Babar
Assistant Professor (Art and Design), University of Sargodha, Sargodha
Abstract
The current paper aims to highlight biculturalism in immigrants
which leads to Third Space Identity in host countries. The study will
explore the construction of third space identity in the protagonist
Ada Kazantzakis by analyzing the theme of hybridization in Elif
Shafak’s novel,’ The Island of Missing Trees’ (2021). Homi K.
Bhabha’s theory of third space and hybridity is the key to maneuver
the existing research. Bhabha’s leading role in postcolonial theory
provokes the study towards the world famous book The Location of
Culture (2021) by scoring the conceptual imperatives and political
consistency of postcolonial Cyprus during 1974 in the novel, ‘The
Island of Missing Trees’ (2021). Qualitative method is used for data
collection. The objective of the study is to find out how
biculturalism in immigrants leads to third space identity and how it
affects the protagonists’ life in the novel. This research will be
beneficial in bringing of modern themes and the way Shafak’s dealt
with these themes artistically.
Keywords: Biculturalism, Third Space Identity, Postcolonialism, Ada
Kazantzakis, Shafak’s Cyprus
Introduction
Millions of people move and live as minorities in various locales of the world.
They adopt existing culture and become assimilationists setting aside

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indigenous culture, traditions, norms, ethnicities
… etc. Being integrated means
following the recurring cultural practices in the host country. The paper in
hand highlights biculturalism and an increasing
… significance of third space
identity’s dilemma. Shafak endeavors to shift in her novel The Island of
Missing Trees (2021) numerous cultures collide through different voices and
characters undergo in the situation of excruciation. Bhandari (2022) states
that Bhabha’s dictum of third space identity aims to outrun the colonial
dominance by proposing in-between space.
Elif Shafak earned fame for her world famous literary landmark such
as The Bastard of Istanbul (2006), The Forty Rules of love (2009), The
Daughter of Eve (2016), 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This strange World
(2019) and her latest novel The Island of Missing Trees (2021). The under
research novel narrates story of belonging and identity on the island of
Cyprus during 1974 when civil war breaks out and two teenagers suffered
from separation, Costas, who is Greek Christian and Defne who is Turkish
Muslim. They experience immigration, colonialism, racial and identity crises
and ethnic conflicts. Ada Kazantzakis, sixteen year daughter was Greek to her
parents’ past. She is treated as Other even she was British by birth. She was
victim of bruised identity which leads her to ambivalence; she is confused to
understand her place in the world. Ada is befuddled in the diasporic world of
multiculturalism and is torn between past and present. It goes without saying
that cultural interactions paved the way for multiculturalism.(Laxmiprasad,
2020). Biculturalism correlates to the postcolonial themes such as
displacement, alienation, identity crisis, nostalgia, and assimilation…all these
themes are pictured in Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees (2021). The
current paper focuses on the core concerns of postcolonial themes including
belonging, identity, culture, biculturalism and third space identity through
postcolonial lens in the backdrop of Cyprus in 1974.
The novel unfolds the island of Cyprus in 1974. Two individuals
named Kostas and Defne meet at a tavern under a Fig tree. They are attracted
to one another. They belong to different religious communities as Muslim
and Christian respectively, but love knows no celestial or terrestrial borders
As later in his letters Kostas writes, ' I’ve been thinking that you are my
country '(183). The fig tree becomes an eye witness and observes their

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forbidden relationship from a romantic distance. Meanwhile war takes place
between Greeks and Turks. The city is sabotaged but the tree survives
miraculously and they are parted with.
Years later in London, Ada Kazantzakis their daughter, who had
never visited this very island, visited this birth place of her parents. She is of
sixteen years but doesn’t know about her parents ' past. In a nutshell, The
Island of Missing Trees is a diasporic novel which deals with the themes of
identity, belonging, biculturalism, and Third Space identity etc. The novel
portrays the social, political, cultural and religious conditions of Cyprus in
1970s; it also discusses Greek -Turk war in a fictional way. It also brings
together people of different religious backgrounds. The Fig tree is a symbol
of spiritual key role in the setting of the novel. Fig tree also represents the
superstitious nature of Cypriots. The tree is taken as a sacred entity. The tree
symbolizes the recurring culture and norms as well. Fig tree is the manifesto
of the present Greek culture, in a sense tree is the reservoir of culture. Shafak
says, ' Fig tree is interpreter of human’s storylines, nature was always talking,
and telling things through human ear was too limited to hear them (207).
Kostas takes meticulous care of the tree means Kostas is the protector and
defender of his culture, he brings the cutting of tree with him to London
when he returns. He couldn’t live without his culture, as culture is one’s
identity. During war the Fig tree is damaged, means the culture is affected
crucially. Ada is inclined to native culture instinctively, she likes indigenous
food, when her aunt cooks food, and she likes it. Her aunt says, ' Food is the
heart of a culture '. Every character feels grieved and badly affected by the
bleakness of war. ‘Someday this pain will be useful to you '(307). The past is
withholded from Ada, Defne says, ' We have to remember in order to heal.
Objectives
The researcher endeavors to seek the following objectives:
• To identify the construction of Third Space Identity
• To analyze the theme of Biculturalism
Literature Review
This research is primarily a compilation of the pertinent research which will
serve as a solid foundation for the future study and a clear path for analysis.
Under the same circumstances, the concept of biculturalism is seen as an

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imperative essential of modern novels …like The Island of Missing Trees
(2021). In the same way third space identity is thought to be a significant
element of the paper in hand. Moreover,…the relevant literature, theorists and
critics will be considered highly conducive in the exploration and evaluation
of concerned themes.
Sutari in her research on The Island of Missing Trees (2021)
examines anthropocentricism and its impact on the environment in order to
determine how vital the strong affinity between people and the nature.1 Her
study focuses on the ecocentricism theory which reveals the negativism of
humans on the environment and the organism of the universe as well. Similar
to the island of Cyprus in this particular novel, Cyprus went through a phase
of colonization and civil war, both of which had a bleak effect on the lives of
expatriates having diverse backgrounds and multiple indigenous identities. In
the text of the novel, the fog tree symbolizes a spiritual being which illustrates
the spiritual the spiritual setting and portrays interaction between humans
and nature.
Kararti asserts in her research that identities change as a result of
culture, religion and nationality.2 She also opines about identities that are
constructed by language, religion, culture and history as well as how flexibly
Shafak dealt with the idea of identity in her watermark work as the
infrastructure of her writing and incites people worldwide to live peacefully
despite discrepancies through depiction of multifarious characterization.
Going through Shafak’s works textually and contextually, the researcher
underscores that Shafak behaved national identity in a civic way as earlier she
delineated it and a vivid historical connection can be observed to
biculturalism.
Houria claimed in her research oriented article on Shafak’s ‘The
Bastard of Istanbul’ about assimilated cultural identities referencing Bhabha’s
theorem of hybridity that characters in the novel change drastically and
psychologically to justify their own survival and how much rectified is the
theme of hybridity which Elif has chosen to illustrate her characters portrayal
in the novel. 3It presents extremely pertinent ideas to Shafak’s most recent
novel ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ which deals with the effects of partition
and division on the development of characters’ diasporic third space identities

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and their determination to live in betweenness in order to maintain their inner
stability. It demonstrates a lot of highly relevant ideological concepts.
Hussein states in his journal by contrasting unholiness and hybridity
in Shafak’s novel (2011) Honour that are generation of immigrants’ plight
affects subsequent generations through various circumstances, rules and
experiences within new hybrid culture and traditions.4 He made it crystal clear
that in patriarchal cultures daughters in particular, those without brothers are
seen as wretched beings. Even though they migrated for the better, they
nevertheless feel marginalized and alienated and treated differently than other
people and their offspring would likely experience the burning issues.
Stotesbury in his most recent study argues assertively that present-day
readers are holistically abreast of ecological change through threes, anticipated
thanks to current writers, particularly through trees in Shafak’s (2021) The
Island of Missing Trees. 5Elif tree appears metaphorically, presumably
allowing the readers to consider the possibility of an arboreal other whereas
Shafak discusses the use of conservative postcolonial narratives in her
anthropomorphism method and the strife between Cypriots on the island.
Shafak shifts her point of inclination by including the voice of fig tree. The
Island of Missing Tree a novel by Shafak due out in 2021 was under
discussion in an interview with the Penguin UK (2021), which revealed that
the plot is inextricably entwined with ever being around, whether they are
human or non-human being. They endured unfathomable suffering as a result
of division and partition history and belonging, culture and hybridity and vice
versa. Shafak demonstrates that it is possible to be ordinary and remarkable at
the same time. She believes that identity is fluid and flexible. Key aspects are
vividly portrayed in the work includes symbols of love and danger, a memory
keeper fig tree, a guy couples’ secrets and the protagonists’ strategy for dealing
with self-resolution.
Mocan states in his research article oriented work on self othering and
redemptive narratives that the idea of othering in Shafak’s The Island of
Missing Trees is the most prominent feature of her self-portrait sculpture and
that new forms of intolerance are hanging over their heads as fad labels in our
ostensibly civilized world, but Shafak proved to be as strong as an ox in front
of her accusations of “ insulting Turkushness” in her other novel stood

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despite growing global interconnectedness … the paradoxical legacy of colonial
sovereignty is something that humanity is ironically struggling with.6 He also
asserts that owning to her ethnicity, multiculturalism
… and refused to succumb
to nationalism, Shafak was able to produce such a seminal work.
The research work conducted by Abbas, Sehar and Sundus Gohar on
the masterpiece literary work, "Another Gulmohar Tree–A Tale of Identity
and Hybridity" is a pictorial manifestation of the theory of hybridity and
Bhabha’s concept of Third Space. 7It depicts how cultural change brings
hybrid ambiance with change of societal values. This piece of research also
brings forth the challenges which take place owing to this societal paradigm
shift. Furthermore, it illustrates the amalgam of Eastern and Western
cultures. When expatriates shift from one colloquial boundary to another for
their survival, they have to become assimilationists. The immigrants have to
mitigate all the celestial and terrestrial cultural and societal boundaries.
Under the title Diaspora and Displacement Sabbah investigates in her
research the ecological relation between world of nature and the identical
issues of belonging.8 The research asserts the causes which create a lot of
identity issues for immigrants and these issues are heart burning topic of
discussion in bicultural literature. From Eco critical perspective our
perceptions play pivotal role in the existence and sustenance of a meaningful
life.
Theoretical Framework
To develop a qualitative research, the novel ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ will
be analyzed empirically under the theoretical framework of postcolonial
theory. Postcolonial theory underscores core themes such as belonging,
culture, displacement, hybridity etc. The present paper seeks to concentrate
on biculturalism leading to third space identity in the prescribed text in the
backdrop of Cyprus in 1974.
Data Analysis and Discussion
The Island of Missing Trees is a fictional novel which navigates the themes
of biculturalism, identity i.e. native identity, received identity, third space,
colonial impact by the implication of postcolonial lens and incorporates the
intricate history of Cyprus. Postcolonial analysis delves deep to dig out the
idea of third space identity which seeds into the characters navigating double

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identities, leads to the formation of third space identity The textual and
contextual analysis of the novel manifests how biculturalism commutes to the
flourishment of third space in the backdrop of Postcolonialism.
To digest the biculturalism, it is imperative to unearth the historical
and cultural background of Cyprus. This island remained a land of conflict
between Greeks and Turks. In 1974, this dispute resulted in dislocation of
communities and it incited them for identity and sense of belonging. In the
novel, the protagonist, Kostas represents Greek community while his beloved,
Defne portrays Turkish background. Their relation is a likelihood of
bridging the cultural gap. They opt for challenging identities and
incorporating dual identity accept third space identity that transcends
national, international and international borders in view of globalization.
Third space tolls the bell for destruction of fixed identities and broaches the
third space in wider canvas. The novel underscores the narrative of fostering
biculturalism which brings forth the resolution of these cultural bruised
wounds on expatriates in host lands.
The Island of Missing Trees (2021) is a story of two teenagers Kostas
and Dene in the background of 1970s in the time of civil war. It chronicles
the forbidden relation of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Defne which gets
mature after their migration to London. It also depicts the singular
personality of Ada, their daughter who is befuddled. Only the Fig tree is her
relation to Cyprus. The novel covers the timeframe of 1974, 2000 and then
revives 2010. In 1974, civil war takes place between Turkey and Greek and
the couple goes through a phase of separation. They are chained in the cuffs
of immigration, colonial ethnic divide, racial and identity issues. Their
daughter, Ada is Greek to the past of her parents. Being a British by birth, she
is treated with discrimination. She is torn between two cultural boundaries.
In 2000, after twenty five years Kostas visits Cyprus and tries to
reconcile with Defne. She accepts him after his apologetic remarks. After
getting away they plan to shift in England. Before their departure they visit
the Happy Fig Tree and revive their reveries in a nostalgic mood. In 2010, in
the absence of Kostas, Defne passed away owing to overdoses. On the other
hand, the circumstances take a turn and they have to face a bleak situation in
the foreign land. Their identities are changed and challenged. This cultural

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gap between prevailed cultures widens and … in result of this collision a novel
identity emerges with the nomenclature of ‘Third Space Identity’ which is the
leading measure of the paper in hand. …
Biculturalism refers to blending of two cultures in a particular
community. It becomes the need of the hour to imbibe foreign culture for
immigrants’ survival. They adopt the language of the host country with
diverse culture and traditional norms, rites etc. South Asian literature is
brimmed with such themes of hybridization, biculturalism and third space
identity. (Homi K. Bhabha, 2012) coined the term’ Third Space Identity’ and
dealt with it in his world famous book’ The Location of Culture, 1994)’ .It is
the key theme of the present novel by Elif Shafak. This third space bridges
the cultural gap among different segments in a society. Shafak recognized this
interconnectedness and penned down this postcolonial aspect. It is beyond
doubt to say that Bhabha engraved iron stamp on third space and cultural
identity in his seminal work, The Location of Culture.
Postcolonialism is a conceptual framework which underscores cultures,
politics and societal values of the colonized lands including language,
literature, history, anthropology etc. It critiques power structures, injustices
and other imperial forms of patriarchal subjugation prevailed in these remote
controlled areas. Edward Said minutely details the pre and post aftermaths of
colonialism in his seminal work ‘Orientalism’ (1978). Said categorically
asserts that the West misrepresents the East. The pre-historic culture and
civilization of the East is marred and sabotaged in the name of Whiteman’s
Burden. Through meticulous analysis, Said expresses the implicit assumption
of orientalist explicitly and sheds light on the theme of Otherness as well.9
Postcolonial theory interprets power dynamics exclusively British power
rule. Shafak through her narrative pens down British colonial rule over
Cyprus; different characters navigating multiple cultural, linguistic and
religious influences. Shafak gives voice to different silent characters that are
made suppressed by colonial powers. Shafak allows them to claim their
identity or being. The Island of Missing Trees via postcolonial perspective
throws light on the power dynamics, hybridization, love and trauma, memory
and diaspora. The novel intricately highlights the residual effects of

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colonialism, the difficulties in identity construction and the strife for
recolonization in postcolonial setting.
Third space identity is the conglomeration of cultural collision; it is a
liminal space, a new area of cultural negotiation. It originates when
immigrants adopt foreign culture for their survival in the host country. By
and large, this borrowed culture and identity becomes second nature and one
is forced by oneself to abide by these adopted norms. This state of
inbetweenness becomes the choice identity of immigrants. In The Island of
Missing Trees we come across the above mentioned identity traits in pictorial
form. This term, third space identity is literally taken from postcolonial
theorist, Homi K. Bhabha’s seminal work The Location of Culture.
10
Biculturalism is an offshoot of cultural identity. As mentioned above,
biculturalism is the admixture of multiple existing cultures in result of this
merging identical place, this space emerges.
The Island of Missing Trees investigates how biculturalism fosters
third space identity in the Greek and Turkish characters despite political and
historical divides. Shafak’s representation of biculturalism and third space
engraves the milestones of acknowledging diversity and searching mutual
points in a society stained by historical disputes. Her characters seek for
cultural mutuality despite having bleak divisions. The island itself symbolizes
third space and Fig tree stamps the spirituality of the island with it holistic
characterization.
Conclusion
To sum up, it can be inferred that The Island of Missing Trees is an intricate
interplay of the dominant and the dominated, the indigenous and the host
culture, and hybridization is the optimum outcome of this cultural,
interaction. It is obvious that the dominant culture prevails and survives in
the light of Darwin’s quote,' survival of the fittest ' and submissive culture is
eroded. In the novel, it is crystal clear that the existing culture cannot be
subsided easily or sabotaged at the end; rather third space is created which
keeps the multi -cultural identities alive for decades. Third space is a state of
in-betweenness which bridges the cultural gap and forges and constructs new
identity. The Island of Missing Trees represents true picture of this cultural
fusion where essentials of both cultures mingle together and a cultural

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reconciliation comes into existence with…liminal space named third space. In
short, The Island of Missing Trees illustrates a forceful narrative which
explores the backstairs influence of biculturalism
… in the creation of third
space identity through postcolonial framework, it can be visualized in the text
of the novel that there is resistance and resilience in colonial combat between
the colonized and the colonizers’ culture i.e. the immigrants’ culture and the
host culture - but the characters imbibe the foreign culture and the become
assimilationists. To round off the discussion, The Island of Missing Trees is
an open gallery of diverse cultures where the Greek and Turkish cultures can
be witnessed par postcolonial perspective. Through the characters of Kostas,
Defne and their daughter Ada, these cultural disparities can be observed and
how their identities and bridged and commuted through fostering and healthy
negotiation.
References
1
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Elif Shafak" The Island of Missing Trees"." PhD diss., Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana
Malik Ibrahim, 2022.
2
Kararti, Pinar. "The notion of identity in the works of Shafak." Master's thesis, Sosyal
Bilimler Enstitüsü.
3
Houria AMEUR, NadjibaKESSAL. "Hybrid Cultural Identities in ElifShafak’sThe
Bastard of Istanbul." PhD diss., 2019.
4
Hussein, Qusay Khalaf. "Unhomeliness Vs. Hybridity: Women’s Suffering and Crisis of
Identity in Elif Shafak’s Honor." Journal of Al_Anbar University for Language and
Literature 36 (2022).
5
Stotesbury, John A. "The Otherness of Trees: Factness and Fiction in Recent Narratives
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6
Mocan, Gabriela Ioana. "Self-Othering and Redemptive Narratives in Literature and the
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7
Abbas, Sehar, and Sundus Gohar. "Another Gulmohar Tree–A Tale of Identity and
Hybridity." Journal of English Language, Literature and Education 5, no. 1 (2023): 117-
140.
8
Sabbah, Sherien, and Paramita Ayuningtyas. "The issues of diaspora and displacement in
Elif Shafak's The Island of Missing Trees." Rainbow: Journal of Literature, Linguistics
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Quinn, Riley. An Analysis of Samuel P. Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations and the
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10
Bhabha, Homi K. The location of culture. Routledge, 2012.

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