Navigating the meaning and forms of exile.
Exile is the undeniably painful gap between an individual and his home land. It is a state of estrangement and alienation. A person in exile is de-rooted from his origins and thus, feels a void inside him. The longing for the place of belonging, its cultural, ethnic and moral values never fades away from the heart of the people in exile. The people in exile have to take their whole home along with them.
Forms of Exile;
The exile of a person from his nation can be divided into categories on the basis of freedom of choice.
1- First one is voluntary exile, which is when a person leaves his homeland by his own will. These people are often termed as Expatriates, who migrate to some foreign country for their own social and personal benefits.
A large portion of Pakistani population moves to foreign countries to improve their social status and lifestyle.
Secondly, Émigrés can also fall in this category. These are immigrants who move to other countries for some social or political motives. This exile can be voluntary or sometimes missionary.
The white people colonizing India, included people in the category of Émigrés in the beginning of English settlings in the subcontinent.
2- The second form of exile is the forced one. This exile is forced on the individuals as they have to leave their nation for the sake of their safety. When the sociopolitical environment of a state or nation becomes unbearable for human survival, one has to do the unavoidable exile.
The refugees fall under this category of exile. For instance, the Afghan refugees settling in Pakistan for a peaceful safe life and the refugees of Palestine moving only to save their lives are forced to leave their respective countries.
Nationalism and Exile;
Nationalism and exile are usually considered as opposites, as nationalism believes in staying rooted and connected to one’s homeland while exile means exiting the social, cultural and familial roots. Some Nationalists believe that the patriotic natives of a land, stick to it regardless of any harsh circumstances. While some believe that a person can be patriotic and still leave his country for his education and experience.
Dialects on Exile;
There are different notions about the exile, whether it’s harmful or good for people at individual and national levels.
Some scholars believe that the unavoidable exile, in the times of severe emergency or hardships should not be condemned. While some Nationalists believe that even such exiles promote lethargic behaviour. As a strong nationalist should never leave his country to stay in comfort zone. Rather he should face the hardships bravely by staying persistently in his country.
Some notions also advocate exile, by proposing arguments like the whole world is our land and self exile gives a sense of individualism and freedom. It frees individuals of any cultural or religious bounds. Moreover, it gives one experience and a broad perspective on different things in life. Exile created diversity of ideas in human mind.
“Exile is a dream of a glorious return. Exile is a vision of revolution: Elba, not St. Helena." - Salman Rushdie
A person who has been in exile can better tackle a situation as he can see the situation from at least two different lenses.
As James Joyce also says, “Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age."
Conclusion;
In conclusion, exile comes with its advantages and demerits. It has its own miseries like loss of traditions and identity along with merits like freedom and experience. A person in exile is an unsettled traveller roaming from place to place in search of either freedom, stability or success.
“Exile is a series of wanderings; it is the longest journey." - Mary Antin
Moreover, exile is very complex yet subjective in its nature. Exile can be good for some while bad and heart breaking for others. Exile, the feeling of estrangement can be felt even with no physical displacement.
“Exile is more than a geographical concept. You can be an exile in your homeland, in your own house, in a room." - Mahmoud Darwish
