In the Reluctant Fundamentalist the Author Deliberately Employs the Use of Different Stereotypes to Challenge the Readers Own Prejudices. Discuss…

855 Words4 Pages
In the reluctant fundamentalist the author deliberately employs the use of different stereotypes to challenge the readers own prejudices. Discuss… Mohsin Hamid used racial and cultural stereotypes to challenge our own prejudices throughout the novel “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”. His novel is set as a conversation taking place in Lahore (Pakistan) soon after the events of 9/11, many of the events described by the narrator Changez happened within America of the time. Hamid wrote in such a way that the reader will choose his or her own villain of the novel. Hamid often employed the use of Muslim and Arabian stereotypes via the American’s reactions to Changez’s every move, similarily he also used the stereotype of an American secret agent, exemplified by his build and way of carrying himself. By using these stereotypes he is able to challenge the reader’s views, most people will gain an interpretation by reading the book which will be completely different to the people around him. Through discussion and review Mohsin Hamid takes the ingrained stereotypes which people intergrate within everyday life and brings them to light. This allows people to reconsider their own misconceptions and his hope was likely to help others view the issue from a Pakistani perspective. Hamid employs stereotypes as a way of pointing out the obvious flaws in them. Hamid will always make reference to the two most obvious stereotypes for the setting, the stereotype that would have all Americans assuming that all muslims are potential terrorists and within Lahore of this timeframe that all Americans are potential assassins. Hamid does this throughout his monologue mainly by making reference to the American’s actions and reactions. “You seem worried. Do not be; this burly fellow is merely our waiter, and there is no need to reach under your jacket, I assume to grasp your wallet, as we will

More about In the Reluctant Fundamentalist the Author Deliberately Employs the Use of Different Stereotypes to Challenge the Readers Own Prejudices. Discuss…

Open Document