TRAUMA, IDENTITIY, AND POST-9/11 GROWTH: CHANGEZ’S JOURNEY FROM ASSIMILATION TO ALIENATION IN MOHSIN HAMID’S THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST

Abstract

This research discusses the post-9/11 traumatic growth of Changez, the protagonist of Mohsin Hamid's novel "The Reluctant Fundamentalist”. In the light of the close reading of the novel, this study explains how the sense of belongingness, identity of Changez, and change of his identity is directly due to the traumatic experience, but at the same time appears to be a growing sense of belongingness to his Pakistani identity. Placing the strong influence of the 9/11 on the identity of Changez and his response in the key of the changes in the relationships, values, and beliefs, this study offers a critical examination of the long-term role of traumatic events on individual identity and specifically addresses the problem of complexity of identity development in a globalized and culturally mixed world. In the analysis of the character of Changez, this thesis utilizes the psychoanalytical theory and various psychological defense mechanisms developed by Sigmund Freud, used by Changez to cope with different psychological pressures. The methodology used for this study is qualitative in nature. Lastly, this thesis deals with the traumatic growth of Changez after the events of September 11.