Cultural Identity Reconstruction in the “In-Between Space”: An Analysis of Lee’s Character in East of Eden

Abstract

This paper revisits the identity reconstruction of Lee, a Chinese-American character in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, through the lens of Homi Bhabha’s “In-Between Space” theory and within a postcolonial framework. The study focuses on how Lee navigates racial and cultural marginalization, utilizing cultural performance and discursive practices to transition from an “other” to the spiritual cornerstone of the family community. This process of identity reconstruction demonstrates that Lee reshapes power dynamics by transcending racial and cultural boundaries. However, this transformation does not dismantle binary oppositions; rather, it replaces existing cultural hierarchies with a new power center. By integrating close textual analysis with postcolonial theory, this paper highlights how identity reconstruction in literature reiterates the fluidity of power relations and cultural identity, offering fresh perspectives on identity politics and postcolonial discourse.