Urban-Induced Radicalization in Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Drawing upon conceptual frameworks from urban sociology, the socioeconomic inequalities within urban planning, and insights related to grievances and alienation, this interdisciplinary examination aims to provide a holistic perspective on how urban environments play a pivotal role in developing radical ideologies among immigrant populations. An in-depth textual analysis of Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist is meticulously conducted to accomplish this. The central hypothesis posits that the radicalization experienced by the protagonist, Changez, is a direct outcome of his exposure to urbanism, marked by grievances and alienation. Within this framework, this research particularly centers on the adverse repercussions of urbanism on Changez, suggesting that the city of New York inadvertently catalyzed his path toward radicalization. New York is shown to cultivate conditions of social isolation, detachment from the broader urban tapestry, and the perpetuation of inequality between immigrants and Americans in terms of accessing urban opportunities and services. Consequently, these circumstances may have propelled Changez towards radicalization as he compares his immigrant experience in pre and post-9/11 New York to his perceptions of privilege in urban America vis-à-vis Pakistan's socio-economic landscape. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between urbanism, immigrant experiences, and radicalization.