"Harmonizing Identities: Multivocality and Bakhtinian Dialogism in Hamid's Novel, 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist'

Abstract

This article presents a critical study of the novel "The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007)" by Mohsin Hamid through the lens of Bakhtinian Dialogism. Grounded in Bakhtin's theoretical framework, the study scrutinizes the narrative architecture and the intricate web of dialogic interplay among characters. The objective is to dissect how the novel embodies Bakhtin's concepts of dialogism and polyphony. Through particular analysis, it uncovers how the exchanges and debates among characters intricately mirror the multifaceted aspects of identity, the dynamics of power, and the clashes of cultures within the backdrop of globalization. Ultimately, the study contends that "The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007)" emerges as a heartbreaking manifestation of Bakhtinian dialogism, underscoring the imperative of embracing diverse viewpoints and nurturing dialogue in the contemporary interconnected environment.