English Studies 178
Group Tutorial: Writing Tutorial – Topic Analysis
Name: Taydren van Vuren Student Number: 20801351 Tutor: Danie Stader
Essay 1: “My Son the Fanatic”, Hanif Kureishi
Critically analyse the relationship between Kureishi’s characterisation of Parvez and the notion of belonging in “My Son the Fanatic.” In your essay, consider the manner in which the belongings are used to comment on the meaning of belonging.
The representation of characters in novels or short stories and how they associate themselves with their world demonstrates how these characters belong to certain ideologies or societies. In Hanif Kureishi’s ‘My Son the Fanatic’,Kureishi demonstrates this notion of belonging using the characterisation of Parvez, …show more content…
They are something an individual which become part of an individual. In the short story, My Son the Fanatic, Kureishi uses the possessions of the different characters and how they treat these belongings to illustrate the different ways the character’s experience belonging. The first example we encounter in the short story is when Ali starts selling and giving away his possessions. At first Parvez sees this as Ali “…outgrowing his teenage attitudes…” but later it is revealed that he has thrown out, “…computer discs, video tapes, new books and fashionable clothes…” (119). Throughout the short story, we see Ali disassociating himself from Western society, referring to people from the West as, “…materialists…” (126). By selling or giving away his possessions, items that are not only considered Western by things bought for him by his father in preparation for becoming an accountant (119). In applying the definition of possessions and belongings to Ali’s situation, Kureishi illustrates the change in Ali and his feeling of no longer belonging to Western society and everything material that that entails. By removing Western belongings, bought for him by his father, from his life, Ali illustrates his view that he no longer belongs to Western society and by extension, his …show more content…
The above analysis has, by discussing the characterisation of Parvez in Hanif Kureishi’s ‘My Son the Fanatic’ demonstrated his view of belonging to the Western society of Britain. The above analysis has also discussed how Ali’s notion of belonging to the Islam ideals of his Punjabi heritage contrasts with that of Ali. Furthermore, the use of Ali’s belongings such as his material goods and Parvez’s view of belongings has been discussed in relation to their view of belonging. The way characters interact with the world is closely linked to their sense of belonging and by extension, their belongings. The feeling of belonging these characters have is highly influenced by their reception into this world, both positive and
Group Tutorial: Writing Tutorial – Topic Analysis
Name: Taydren van Vuren Student Number: 20801351 Tutor: Danie Stader
Essay 1: “My Son the Fanatic”, Hanif Kureishi
Critically analyse the relationship between Kureishi’s characterisation of Parvez and the notion of belonging in “My Son the Fanatic.” In your essay, consider the manner in which the belongings are used to comment on the meaning of belonging.
The representation of characters in novels or short stories and how they associate themselves with their world demonstrates how these characters belong to certain ideologies or societies. In Hanif Kureishi’s ‘My Son the Fanatic’,Kureishi demonstrates this notion of belonging using the characterisation of Parvez, …show more content…
They are something an individual which become part of an individual. In the short story, My Son the Fanatic, Kureishi uses the possessions of the different characters and how they treat these belongings to illustrate the different ways the character’s experience belonging. The first example we encounter in the short story is when Ali starts selling and giving away his possessions. At first Parvez sees this as Ali “…outgrowing his teenage attitudes…” but later it is revealed that he has thrown out, “…computer discs, video tapes, new books and fashionable clothes…” (119). Throughout the short story, we see Ali disassociating himself from Western society, referring to people from the West as, “…materialists…” (126). By selling or giving away his possessions, items that are not only considered Western by things bought for him by his father in preparation for becoming an accountant (119). In applying the definition of possessions and belongings to Ali’s situation, Kureishi illustrates the change in Ali and his feeling of no longer belonging to Western society and everything material that that entails. By removing Western belongings, bought for him by his father, from his life, Ali illustrates his view that he no longer belongs to Western society and by extension, his …show more content…
The above analysis has, by discussing the characterisation of Parvez in Hanif Kureishi’s ‘My Son the Fanatic’ demonstrated his view of belonging to the Western society of Britain. The above analysis has also discussed how Ali’s notion of belonging to the Islam ideals of his Punjabi heritage contrasts with that of Ali. Furthermore, the use of Ali’s belongings such as his material goods and Parvez’s view of belongings has been discussed in relation to their view of belonging. The way characters interact with the world is closely linked to their sense of belonging and by extension, their belongings. The feeling of belonging these characters have is highly influenced by their reception into this world, both positive and