Performing the Self: A Bakhtinian Carnivalistic Reading of Amita Parikh's The Circus Train

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

This study employs Mikhail Bakhtin's theory on Carnival to interpret Amita Parikh's novel The Circus Train (2022) as part of the broader framework of historical fiction that examines themes related to identity, belonging and psychological resilience against the backdrop of World War II. It addresses a gap in previous research by being the first to utilize a carnivalistic approach to the analysis of The Circus Train, demonstrating how Bakhtin's theory on Carnival is applicable to identity-construction processes and self-discovery within the context of chaotic, liminal spaces. The methodology combines Bakhtin's carnival model with a close textual analysis to understand the relationship between grotesque realism, social hierarchies, and the transformation of individuals. The study indicates that the novel critiques established power relationships, allowing marginalized characters to re-negotiate their identities; that grotesque imagery enhances understanding of adaptation and survival; and that Carnival becomes a transformative strategy fostering resilience and self-definition in the face of destruction, positioning The Circus Train as a pivotal contribution to modern studies of identity and transformation.

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