SOCIAL EXCLUSION, SCAPEGOATING, AND THE ILLUSION OF COMMUNITY IN JHUMPA LAHIRI’S “A REAL DURWAN”

Annotasiya

This paper examines Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story *A Real Durwan* through the lens of social exclusion, scapegoating, and fragile communal identity. The study focuses on the character of Boori Ma as a marginalized figure whose presence in the building is tolerated only under conditional terms. Although she performs the role of caretaker, her social position remains unstable and dependent on the residents’ convenience. The analysis argues that Lahiri exposes the illusion of community by demonstrating how quickly collective solidarity dissolves in moments of crisis. When a theft occurs, Boori Ma becomes the immediate target of blame despite the absence of evidence. This reaction reflects a broader social mechanism in which vulnerable individuals are sacrificed to preserve group cohesion. The paper concludes that Lahiri critiques not only social hierarchies but also the psychological need for scapegoats within communities.