“I was within and without” . In light of Nick’s comment, explore how Hamid and Fitzgerald present outsiders in the Reluctant Fundamentalist and the Great Gatsby.
Both novels portray various characters who feel as if they are “within” yet can never move past or get rid of feelings or the paranoia of being an outsider and being “without”. This is emphasised through Nick’s comment of being “within and without”. Due to the differentiated status of the characters, it could be argued that characters within the novel are marginalised by the societies they live in. Both narrators choose to remain “without”, perhaps due to the marginalisation encountered during the course of the two novels.
The protagonists, Changez and Gatsby, can be viewed as being …show more content…
As the novel is disjointed and resembles pieces of jigsaw, it could be a replication of Gatsby who is a meticulously made facade with intricate details to make him appear as if he is larger than life when in reality, he is a poor boy who obtained a large wealth through illegal means. Likewise, the Reluctant Fundamentalist follows a similar part which can also be a replication of its protagonists. The novels alternates through the present day in Lahore and the past in America which could emulate how Changez was “within and without” for a long time before finally deciding to embrace his heritage and remain outside. This is demonstrated through the final chapter being set in …show more content…
During the party scene, Nick says “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life”. Nick can be seen fitting in with characters such as Tom Buchanan but feeling as if he does not belong. Nick even describes being “pulled back, as if with ropes, into my chair”, further connoting there is still something that is trapping him from being an outsider. It also suggests that being an outsider may be a protection from some of those within partake in such as adultery as seen in Tom’s relationship with Myrtle. Nick’s paradoxical feelings towards the old wealth can also be paralleled with Fitzgerald’s own attitude towards the
Both novels portray various characters who feel as if they are “within” yet can never move past or get rid of feelings or the paranoia of being an outsider and being “without”. This is emphasised through Nick’s comment of being “within and without”. Due to the differentiated status of the characters, it could be argued that characters within the novel are marginalised by the societies they live in. Both narrators choose to remain “without”, perhaps due to the marginalisation encountered during the course of the two novels.
The protagonists, Changez and Gatsby, can be viewed as being …show more content…
As the novel is disjointed and resembles pieces of jigsaw, it could be a replication of Gatsby who is a meticulously made facade with intricate details to make him appear as if he is larger than life when in reality, he is a poor boy who obtained a large wealth through illegal means. Likewise, the Reluctant Fundamentalist follows a similar part which can also be a replication of its protagonists. The novels alternates through the present day in Lahore and the past in America which could emulate how Changez was “within and without” for a long time before finally deciding to embrace his heritage and remain outside. This is demonstrated through the final chapter being set in …show more content…
During the party scene, Nick says “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life”. Nick can be seen fitting in with characters such as Tom Buchanan but feeling as if he does not belong. Nick even describes being “pulled back, as if with ropes, into my chair”, further connoting there is still something that is trapping him from being an outsider. It also suggests that being an outsider may be a protection from some of those within partake in such as adultery as seen in Tom’s relationship with Myrtle. Nick’s paradoxical feelings towards the old wealth can also be paralleled with Fitzgerald’s own attitude towards the