Temporal Displacement And Cultural Identity: A Study Of Changez’s Narrative In Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Abstract

This research paper examines the process of identity development experienced by the main character, Changez, in Mohsin Hamid's novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The text is set against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Amidst such a tumultuous scenario, the preservation of one's identity becomes an exceedingly critical concern, particularly for individuals hailing from economically disadvantaged regions. The protagonist Changez undergoes a series of stages in his personal and cultural identity while in the United States. The protagonist's ideological perspective is undoubtedly influenced by the writer's Pakistani background. The researcher has attempted to examine the three phases of identity development using Eura Jung and Michael L. Hecht's (1993) Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), which encompasses four frames: personal, enacted, relational, and communal. However, the researcher has restricted his research to solely focusing on the application of relational frame. The protagonist's relationship identity has been emphasized by the use of 'I/We - You' pronouns, creating a contrasting comparison pattern.