The reluctant fundamentalist
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Date
2017
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UMT Lahore
Abstract
This research aims to complete a critical — analytical analysis of the central characters'
micro-scale identity crises, as influenced by the macro-scale, global political events of9/11,2001,
in Mohsin Hamid's novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007). The conceptual framework of the
present research work is Norman Fairclough'sCritical Discourse Analysis (CDA), blended with
the core theories presented by Samuel P. Himtington in. The Clash of Civilizations and the
Remaking of World Order (1996), by Edward W. Said in Orientalism (1978) and in "The Clash of
Ignorance" (2001).
The present MPhil study is an attempt to answer the following research questions: "What
are the different frustration levels that (re)shape the characters' identities and trigger their identity
crises?", "Which sector of identity is influenced and /or altered most due to different levels of
different fhistrations - analyzing the central characters?" and "How does the micro level, crisisladen relationship between Erica and Changez mirror the global, macro level relationship between
the West (the USA) and the East (Pakistan)?".
Therefore, the conclusion is drawn on the basis of the above-mentioned research questions.
All individual characters, living in either the Western or in the Eastern hemisphere are deeply
influenced by the macro-scale event of 9/11 and they undergo serious identity crises. The cultural
differences create stereotypes, misconceptions and tensions between the Oriental and Occidental
characters. Consequently, an "us" versus "other" friction appears and the main character has no
other choice but to return to his native coimtry, identity and family in Pakistan.
The novel is constructed in the form of the frame story technique, the frame story is in fact
the main character's narration of his life events and his listener is a mysterious American
interlocutor, who never speaks directly to the readers. The ending of the novel is an open ending,
this way challenging the reader to imply his / her imagination and to construct the possible closing
scenes.
My future line of research will focus on the reasons behind the author's choice to apply the
frame story techmque. Secondly, I wish to complete a contrastive analysis of the trope of identity
crises in other sirmlar artistic creations (novels, films), that also focus on the psycho-social impact
of the 9/11 events upon Occidental versus Oriental characters, in terms of different age groups or
socio-cultural backgroimds.