Alienated Exclusion: Redefining Nationalistic Fundamentalism and Diasporic Identity in Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist

This paper analyzes Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007) to explore the intricate dynamics of alienation, nationalistic fundamentalism, and diasporic identity in the post-9/11 context. Through the character of Changez, Hamid examines the psychological and sociopolitical challenges inherent in navigating multiple cultural, national, and religious identities within an increasingly polarized global environment. This study argues that Changez’s transformation–from an ambitious immigrant striving to assimilate into American society to a disillusioned individual drawn toward nationalistic fundamentalism–reflects not merely a reaction to societal exclusion but a deeper struggle with his fractured sense of self and belonging. By analyzing Changez’s encounters with racial profiling, cultural marginalization, and internal conflict, this paper underscores the novel’s critique of the intersection between American imperialism and religious extremism. Ultimately, The Reluctant Fundamentalist offers a nuanced perspective on the alienation experienced by diasporic individuals, reimagining the interplay between identity, exclusion, and the emergence of nationalism and fundamentalism in a world shaped by ideological tensions and global insecurity.