CULTURAL HYBRIDITY AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN HAMID’S THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST

Abstract

In the era of globalization, cultural hybridity has become a central theme in postcolonial literature, reflecting the intricate dynamics of identity construction. Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2009) critically explores the tensions of cultural hybridity and identity negotiation, addressing the complexities of selfhood amidst cross-cultural interactions and global socio-political pressures. This study examines how cultural hybridity shapes the protagonist’s identity using Bhabha’s theory of hybridity and the concept of the “Third Space” (Bhabha, 1994). Through a qualitative analysis of the novel, key dialogues, narrative structures, and events are explored to understand how the protagonist navigates cultural affiliations, experiencing both belonging and alienation. The findings reveal that the protagonist’s identity is constructed within the “Third Space,” where cultural dualities coexist, allowing for resistance to dominant cultural narratives and the emergence of a fluid, hybrid identity. These insights underscore the transformative potential of hybridity as a site of negotiation and adaptation, particularly for diasporic individuals grappling with cultural displacement. By employing Bhabha’s postcolonial framework, this study contributes to the discourse on hybridity, diaspora, and identity, offering a nuanced understanding of cultural interaction and self-perception in a globalized world.