Post Colonial study of "The reluctant fundamentalist"
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This document provides an overview and analysis of key concepts in the postcolonial study of Mohsin Hamid's novel "The Reluctant Fundamentalist". It discusses Changez's negotiation of a glocal identity as both Pakistani and American. It analyzes concepts like hybridity, diaspora, neo-liberalism, and East-West binaries that are explored in the novel through Changez's shifting identities and disillusionment with America after 9/11. The document examines how the novel represents a reaction from the Eastern perspective to Western imperialism and dominance.
Post Colonial study of "The reluctant fundamentalist"
- 2. Postcolonial Study of “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” By Azam Sarwar
- 3. Glocal identity (A mixture of global and local) A term newly coined by Postcolonial scholars to show the ever clashing mixture of global and local dualities in immigrants’ personalities. Dress Language
- 4. In this photograph child (from Hunza) can be seen donning a traditional local cap, while dressed in “Western” dress.
- 5. Name: CHANGEZ Country/City: USA, New York Nationality: American Occupation: Underwood Samson Mission: “Focus on the fundamentals” Special traits: businessman, suit Name: CHANGEZ Country/City: Pakistan, Lahore Nationality: Pakistani Occupation: university lecturer Mission: ‘advocate for a disengagement from the USA Special traits: beard, kurta
- 6. Glocal Identity in “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” “I was not certain where I belonged---- in New York, in Lahore, in both, in neither.” “Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed you. Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America.”(p.1) “I am both a native of this city and a speaker of your language,” (p.1)
- 7. Changez’s multiple identities Changez leads demonstrations against US
- 8. “The East writes back” Edward Said: “the East writes back” This novel is a reaction to the discourse of colonization from the Pakistani side (which stands for the East) and welcomes de-colonization. Changez’s reaction to American attack on Afghanistan “Afghanistan was Pakistan’s neighbour, our friend, and a fellow Muslim nation.” p.114
- 9. East meets West/ East vs West Changez Erica East West (Pak) (US) Dismantle relation “Are you missing Chris?” She nodded, I said, “ pretend I am him.”
- 10. Pak-US relations
- 11. “Hegemony” “Hegemony is the power of the ruling class to convince other classes that their interests are the interests of all.” “domination by consent.” (Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. Postcolonial Studies: The Key Concepts. New York: Routledge, 2001. Print.) Globalization is a myth and what is actually taking place is the spread of American values, power and products across the globe. Or in other words the American hegemony.
- 12. Hegemony Cont… Economic hegemony Underwood Samson Juan-Bautista: “may I ask you rather personal question?” Changez: “Certainley” Jaun-Bautista: “Does it trouble you to make your living by disrupting the lives of others?”
- 13. "Hybridity" “Hybridity has frequently been used in post-colonial discourse to mean simply cross-cultural ‘exchange’. “Hybridity commonly refers to the creation of new transcultural forms.” (Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. Postcolonial Studies: The Key Concepts. New York: Routledge, 2001. Print.) Hybridization takes many forms: linguistic, cultural, political, racial, etc.
- 14. Cultural hybridity Changez drinks wine “As we took our seats for the meal, he lifted a bottle of red wine and said to me, ‘You drink?’ ‘He’s twenty-two,’ Erica’s mother said on my behalf.” p.32 Girlfriend
- 15. “Neo-liberalism” A type of liberalism that believes in a global free market, without government regulation, with businesses and industry controlled and run for profit by private owners Underwood Samson, in Changez’s view, is the clear example of the soullessness of the West. Their job epitomizes capitalism to its very core through the ability to place “value”.
- 16. “Neo-liberalism” cont… “Does it trouble you to make your living by disrupting the lives of others?” “We just value.”
- 17. “Diaspora” The voluntary or enforced migration of peoples from their native homelands. Diaspora literature is often concerned with questions of maintaining or altering identity, language, and culture while in another culture or country. (http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/postcold.htm
- 18. White & western superiority vs. coloured & colonial inferiority “I flew to New York uncomfortable in my own face .” p.44 “When we arrived, I was separated from my team at immigration. They joined the queue for American citizens; I joined the one for foreigners.” p.44
- 19. Alterity The state of being different or other (Ashcroft, Griffiths and Tiffin 11) The state of being other or different; diversity, ‘otherness.’ (Oxford English Dictionary) After 9/11 attack Changez fails to feel like he fits in as a part of his community.