Exile and the Struggle for Belonging in Benjamin Zephaniah's Refugee Boy: A Postcolonial Analysis

This article explores the themes of exile and the struggle for belonging in Benjamin Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy through a postcolonial lens. It examines how displacement shapes identity, belonging, and the psychological experiences of the protagonist in a context marked by migration and cultural marginalization. By drawing on postcolonial theory, the study highlights the tensions between home and exile, inclusion and exclusion, and investigates how literature gives voice to the experiences of refugees. The analysis ultimately shows how Refugee Boy portrays belonging as a complex and evolving process rather than a fixed condition.