Cultural Identity and Negotiation in Catherine Kalengula’s Novelization of Emily in Paris: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of identity and cultural negotiation in the novel Emily in Paris. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the research explores how the protagonist, Emily Cooper, experiences cultural adaptation, identity conflict, and self-expression while living abroad. Data were derived from close textual reading of the novel, supported by theoretical perspectives from cultural studies and identity negotiation theory. The findings reveal that Emily’s identity construction is shaped by the intersection of American individualism and French collectivist cultural norms. Furthermore, the narrative highlights the challenges of intercultural communication, gender representation, and the tension between professional ambition and personal relationships. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how literature reflects cultural hybridity and the negotiation of identity in a globalized context.