Saroo Brierley's Self-Identity In A Long Way Home

Self-identity is the complex understanding that a person has of themselves, and drive in which we can relate to our external world, and pursue meaningful goals. In simpler terms, self-identity is who we are, essentially. However, the true challenge lies in the means to developing personal identity, which can be influenced by many factors, such as one’s own experiences as we age from childhood into adulthood. In his novel, Saroo Brierley relates his personal journey towards finding his way back home after being tragically lost, and trespassing beyond the borders of India and Australia to ultimately find himself along the way. Saroo Brierley’s positive and negative experiences lived in India and Australia in A Long Way Home, were both influential

Brierley recalls after returning to Australia, “I hadn’t imagined anything much beyond finding my home, and, maybe my mother. I suppose I’d thought of that as the end of the story, but it was truly more like a new beginning” (224). For Brierley, reconnecting with his past enhanced his present life, and presented a positive outlook towards his future. Although he has two families from two very different cultures/countries, he continues to be the same Saroo Brierley whose life was greatly influenced by both his positive and negative experiences. However, now has a story to tell and can be of inspiration to others as he states, “Perhaps people in different situations could also be inspired by my experience of grasping opportunities, no matter how daunting, and never giving up” (225). Perseverance and hope is what allowed Saroo to “survive” and “thrive” from the very beginning of his early life in India as a child until present day (25). In the end, Brierley hopes that readers will be appreciate from his life story that: amazing opportunities can flourish from tragic