THE SHIFTING HUES OF SELF: A MAGICAL REALIST EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY AND THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION IN THE LAST WHITE MAN BY MOHSIN HAMID

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of reality and magic in literature, emphasizing their roles in various genres. For this purpose, the study aims to investigate the significance of magical realism within the novel The Last White Man (Hamid, 2022) and identify the components of magical realism presented in the novel. The researcher[s] travels through the territory of magical realism as explained by Wendy B. Faris's key essay in “Magical Realism (theory, history, community)” presented by Faris (1995), analyzing the novel's plot progression, character dynamics, and thematic intricacies. The study examines how magical realism functions within The Last White Man’s (Hamid, 2022) narrative structure by utilizing Faris's theoretical framework. The study claims that Hamid's novel, which is positioned as a critique of how marginalized people are treated in modern society, encourages readers to consider the pursuit of equal rights. The researcher[s] reveals the novel's thematic foundations through a thorough study of primary and secondary sources using qualitative and interpretive approaches. The argument that The Last White Man (Hamid, 2022) uses magical realism as a primary method of a literary technique used to question social mores and customs. Hamid challenges established power structures and societal hierarchies by fusing supernatural and mundane elements, forcing readers to face difficult realities. The goal of this research is to provide new light on Hamid's influence on contemporary literature and his skill at challenging social structures. The researcher[s] hopes to shed light on the subtleties of its application and demonstrate the transforming power of literature in upending deeply held ideas and promoting empathy by analyzing the book through the perspective of magical realism.