Research Information System
Cultural Studies Symposium, İzmir, Turkey, 8 - 10 May 2024
In Neil Gaiman's American Gods (2001), gods serve as living embodiments of their respective communities, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of humanity. However, as immigrants bring their beliefs to the New World, these identities face the risk of dissolution in the melting pot of America. Through characters like Anubis, Anansi, Chernobog, and Ostara, Gaiman illustrates the poignant transformation of once-potent deities into "no ones," stripped of worshippers and relevance in a rapidly changing world. This narrative encapsulates the essence of gods risking their identities amidst the tidal wave of cultural imperialism. Gaiman's portrayal vividly illustrates the precarious balance between adaptation, change, or disappearance faced by these gods, urging readers to contemplate the fate of cultural heritage in the face of relentless globalization. Ultimately, American Gods (2001) serves as a powerful testament to the fragility of cultural identity in the modern world, presenting a cautionary tale against the erasure of cultural identities in the march towards uniformity and the inherent risk it poses.