The quest for identity in Adrienne Kennedy's "Funnyhouse of a Negro"

Abstract EN

Identity is of much significance in the course of history.

Individuals and nations exert concerted efforts to adhere to a self- created concept of identity.

Identity undoubtedly implies a sense of belonging to a class, a race, and by extension, a whole nation.

In the post-modern world and literature, the issue of identity became an all- inclusive phenomenon in that it is riveting the attention of both thinkers and men of letters.

The present study is concerned with the quest for identity in Adrienne Kennedy's Funnyhouse of a Negro (1964) which shows a keen interest in tackling the issue of identity.

Kennedy reflects upon the black identity through the presentation of a female character that is unavoidably entangled in personal and family problems, problems that have much bearing on the female identity.

The main problem of this female character persistently confronts is what is termed ‘double consciousness,’ which underscores the awareness of the existence of two identities, black and white.