CONTEXTS OF RETURN MIGRATION AND DISILLUSIONMENT IN TAHER BEN JELLOUN’S A PALACE IN THE OLD VILLAGE

Abstract

Migration, exile, globalization and their attendant discontents have remained global phenomenon which writers especially from Africa have persistently continued to address in their narratives. While so much has been written about migration to the West in search of better living conditions, or even for mere aspiration, not enough has been done in the area of return migration. This paper reflects on the seeming less discussed issues pertaining return migration and disillusionment in Africa as seen in Tahar Ben Jelloun’s A Palace in the Old Village. This is opposed to the previous interpretations which scholars have made of the text. To achieve this, the paper employs the psychoanalytic theory. The paper finds that there is a specific link between migration, return migration, development of home country and the mental health of returnees. While economic and political corruption, religious fanaticism, illiteracy, social expectations and so on in home countries mitigate against return migration, the paper argues that obsession, neurosis and aridity of some African space portend serious challenge to return home.