Introduction
Kureishi’s story “My Son the Fanatic” is a stunning tale about a father and son who oppose each other’s cultural values. This story captures the reader’s attention by deeply analyzing the main characters’ personalities and interactions. Parvez is the main character, Ali’s father, who worries that his son has become a religious fundamentalist and refuses to accept Western culture. Parvez is a man who was forced to leave his homeland and move to Britain to provide a better life for his family. He is described as respecting his culture and traditions but also adapting to new customs and standards inherent in Western culture.
Analysis of Ali
On the other hand, Ali, Parvez’s son, is a religious fundamentalist who rejects Western culture and standards. He sees everything in black and white and believes the world is divided between believers and non-believers. Ali believes that Western culture destroys family values and leads to immorality. His relationship with his father deteriorates due to his beliefs, and he does not want to change his views.
One of the reasons for this turn of events could be Ali’s dissatisfaction with his life in Western culture, where he felt alienated and undervalued. Religious fundamentalism gave him a new identity that he considered more suitable and meaningful. In addition, the story emphasizes the importance of belonging to a particular culture and religion in a society where Ali feels like a minority. He seeks ways to conform and be accepted by other cultural group members, which he believes is only possible through faith and rituals.
Ali’s transformation causes pain and disappointment for Parvez, who cannot understand how his beloved son has changed so much. He also feels guilty in this situation, unintentionally contributing to Ali’s distancing from his cultural values and traditions. Parvez attempts to restore his relationship with his son but faces obstacles such as differences in faith and cultural beliefs. He does not want his son to become a radical and reject everything he previously held dear.
Analysis of Bettina
Bettina is Parvez’s loving and caring wife who tries to protect her family from being torn apart by religious differences. She sometimes plays the role of a catalyst for conflicts between Parvez and Ali when Ali visits them and criticizes Parvez for not adhering to strict religious rules and becoming too westernized in his lifestyle. However, she mainly acts as a mediator between Parvez and Ali when she engages them in dialogue and tries to understand their perspectives, as is evident from the quote: “Your father, who is a good man, is very worried about you. You know he loves you more than his own life.” (Kureishi, 1997).
She tries to help them find a compromise and solve their problems without compromising her beliefs. Thus, Bettina demonstrates her emotional maturity and ability to communicate with people, even if their views on life seem foreign and incomprehensible to her.
Relationship Analysis
The first relationship we see in the story is between father and son. Parvez, the father of the main character, Ali, is an immigrant from Pakistan who has become accustomed to the Western way of life. In contrast, Ali becomes a fundamentalist and adopts strict religious views. This leads to serious conflicts between father and son, who cannot find common ground or understand each other.
The second relationship in the story is between Parvez and his wife, Bettina. They have been living together for a long time and have a good relationship. Still, problems arise between them when Bettina cannot understand why Parvez cannot accept Ali’s new religious ideology. The third relationship we see in the story is between Ali and the fundamentalists who convince him of the rightness of their views. Ali begins to reject Western culture and becomes more radical in his views.
All of these relationships reflect the problems of intercultural relations in modern society. Conflicts and misunderstandings can arise between people because of different cultural backgrounds and outlooks on life. However, as the story shows, it is essential to find compromises and respect each other’s personal beliefs to maintain harmonious relationships in the family and society.
Analysis of the Ending
The ending of the story is significant. The final confrontation between Parvez and Ali is the culmination of their relationship. Parvez tries to talk to Ali and understand what makes him a fanatic, but Ali does not listen and continues to argue that the Western lifestyle is evil. In the end, feeling powerless, Parvez walks away.
This confrontation indicates that the relationship between Parvez and Ali will deteriorate. Ali refuses to listen to his father and continues his life as a fanatic, while Parvez cannot understand his son and does not know what to do. Nevertheless, the author leaves hope that the future of the relationship between father and son may change. He shows that Parvez still loves his son and will do something to improve their relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hanif Kureishi’s My Son the Fanatic provides an insightful portrayal of the complexities and challenges of intercultural relationships. The story highlights the conflicts and misunderstandings that arise when individuals from different cultural backgrounds struggle to reconcile their beliefs and values. Through the characters of Parvez and Ali, Kureishi offers a nuanced exploration of the challenges of balancing traditional and modern values and the importance of mutual respect and understanding in fostering healthy relationships.
Reference
Kureishi, Hanif. 1997. My Son the Fanatic. London: Faber and Faber