Exploring Spatio-Temporal And Psycho-Ideological Narrative Dimensions in Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Abstract

This research deals with the investigation of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a work written by a renowned modern writer Mohsin Hamid. The text is explored through the lens of Uspensky-Fowler’s model. According to this model, four narrative dimensions can be analyzed within a text. These are spatial, temporal, ideological and psychological narrative perspectives. Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist has garnered a global appreciation owing to the representation of pre and post 9/11 realities. It examines the influences of Changez’s journey from Lahore, an emblem of cultural significance, to New York representing the world overpowered by the incidents of 9/11. It also explores the intricacies of his evolving beliefs pertaining to these post 9/11 scenarios. This cultural transition portrays Changez’s internal struggles and examines the effects of ideological perspectives in shaping his identity. Throughout, Changez seems struggling to reconcile with his Pakistani roots amid changing sociopolitical atmosphere in the West. This juggling with identity formation is demonstrated by the juxtaposition of different geographical and temporal landscapes. This further elaborates Changez’s inner turmoil driven by psychological conflicts representing his shifting beliefs and values. The juxtaposition of these dimensions determines the way in which perception of time and location are influenced by these narrative choices. The ideologies and psychological perspectives of Changez driven by the influence of different locales, investigation of temporal dynamics, criticism on prevalent social ideologies and power structures and investigation of protagonist’s inner world are also analyzed. This elaborated analysis supports that the themes of identity formation, clash of cultural ideologies and the chaos of global politics in pre and post 9/11 world forms the basic skeleton of the text. The utility of Uspensky-Fowler’s model gives us insightful depictions of the embedded narrative choices that regulate the textual interpretations.