The title of Hanif Kureishi's short story "My Son the Fanatic" is significant in a number of

ways.

First, it is literal. The story is about a Pakistani immigrant father, Parvez, who is
struggling to come to terms with his son Ali's growing religious extremism. Ali has
become a radical Muslim and has joined a fanatical religious group. Parvez is deeply
concerned about his son's safety and well-being, but he is also struggling to understand
why Ali has chosen this path.

Second, the title is symbolic. The word "fanatic" can be defined as "a person who is
excessively enthusiastic or zealous about a particular subject or activity." In the context
of the story, the title suggests that Ali's religious beliefs have become all-consuming. He
has become so obsessed with his religion that he is no longer able to think critically or
see the world in a balanced way.

Third, the title is ironic. Parvez is a secular man who has always tried to distance
himself from his religious heritage. He wanted his children to grow up in England and to
be assimilated into British culture. However, Ali has rebelled against his father's wishes
and has embraced his Muslim identity in a way that Parvez never could.

The title "My Son the Fanatic" is also significant because it highlights the central theme
of the story: the conflict between different generations and cultures. Parvez and Ali
represent two different worlds: the old world of Pakistan and the new world of England.
Parvez is struggling to adapt to his new life in England, while Ali is struggling to find his
place in the world as a second-generation immigrant.

Other themes explored in the story include:

 The nature of identity: The story explores the complex and fluid nature of identity. Ali is
struggling to come to terms with his multiple identities as a British Pakistani and a
Muslim. Parvez is also struggling to come to terms with his identity as an immigrant and
a father.
 The role of religion: The story explores the role of religion in people's lives. Ali's religion
has become a source of both comfort and conflict for him. It has given him a sense of
purpose and belonging, but it has also led him to make dangerous and destructive
choices.
 The relationship between fathers and sons: The story explores the complex and often
fraught relationship between fathers and sons. Parvez and Ali are both struggling to
understand each other and to find a way to communicate.

Overall, the title "My Son the Fanatic" is complex and multifaceted. It is literal, symbolic,
ironic, and thematic. It highlights the central theme of the story: the conflict between
different generations and cultures. It also explores other important themes such as the
nature of identity, the role of religion, and the relationship between fathers and sons.

Cultural Clash and Identity Crisis: In "My Son the Fanatic" by Hanif Kureishi, a central
theme revolves around the clash of cultures and the resulting identity crisis faced by the
characters. The story delves into the struggles of Parvez, a Pakistani immigrant in Britain,
and his son, Ali, as they grapple with conflicting cultural values. Parvez embraces
Western lifestyle and values, while Ali rejects them, embracing a more traditional and
conservative interpretation of Islam. This cultural dissonance leads to a profound
identity crisis for both father and son, reflecting the broader challenges faced by
immigrants navigating the complexities of dual cultural allegiances.

Religious Fundamentalism and Radicalization: A significant theme in the narrative is

the exploration of religious fundamentalism and its potential for radicalization. Ali's turn
towards a more orthodox interpretation of Islam, symbolized by his rejection of Western
influences, represents a broader societal concern. The story delves into the allure of
religious fundamentalism, examining the factors that contribute to an individual's
radicalization. Kureishi raises questions about the power dynamics within religious
communities and the impact of extremist ideologies on familial relationships.

Generational Conflict: Generational conflict is a pervasive theme in "My Son the

Fanatic." The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a widening generation gap
between Parvez and Ali. The older generation, represented by Parvez, embraces Western
values and seeks assimilation, while the younger generation, embodied by Ali, rejects
these values in favor of a more traditional, culturally rooted identity. This theme explores
the challenges of communication and understanding between generations, particularly
in the context of cultural and religious differences.

Assimilation and Cultural Adaptation: The theme of assimilation and cultural

adaptation is intricately woven into the fabric of the story. Parvez, seeking to integrate
into British society, adopts Western customs and lifestyle. However, his son's rejection of
this assimilation in favor of a more conservative Islamic identity highlights the
complexities and limitations of cultural adaptation. The narrative prompts readers to
reflect on the delicate balance immigrants must strike between preserving their cultural
heritage and navigating the demands of their adopted society.

The Complexity of Father-Son Relationships: At its core, "My Son the Fanatic"
explores the intricate dynamics of father-son relationships. The evolving relationship
between Parvez and Ali serves as a microcosm of broader societal shifts and cultural
clashes. The story delves into the emotional complexities of parental expectations,
disappointment, and the desire for familial harmony. Kureishi skillfully navigates the
challenges of intergenerational relationships, revealing the tensions that arise when
personal and cultural values collide.

Social Alienation and Isolation: Social alienation and isolation emerge as poignant
themes in the narrative. As Ali distances himself from mainstream society due to his
radical beliefs, he becomes increasingly isolated. This theme raises questions about the
consequences of cultural and religious extremism, emphasizing the alienation that
individuals may experience when their beliefs set them apart from the broader
community.

Read only if you want.

Father and Son

A story theme as old as time plays a central role in this story. A father worries
that his son is not following the path he set out for him, seeks to discover the
issue, and eventually confronts him. If the surface plot of religious fanaticism,
immigration, and duality is removed, the bones of this story are a familiar theme
in many stories.

The struggle of fathers and their relationships with their sons has covered every
possible social situation, but the basic construct stays fairly unchanged. It
begins with the father and his expectations of his son and how his son will turn
out in life. Whether that path is the one he took or the opposite, the father has a
vision for what his son's path and life will be. The son usually has some sort of
objection to this view. Parvez has set Ali's path to include university and a
career in accounting. He is initially proud of Ali for starting the path and hopes
that Ali follows through. Ali sees the path that has been set for him as a direct
affront to the traditional beliefs that he has started to adopt. Ali sees his father
as the initiator of his path and that path is seen as a sinful one to Ali.
Kureishi has chosen his side and bases "My Son the Fanatic" on experience or
at least from the side in which he generally falls. Others may identify with the
opposite point of view that Kureishi has written the story from. In My Son the
Fanatic, Kureishi works hard at concealing his point of view. He doesn't offer
much in the way of taking sides. Like most stories involving the theme of father
and son, the sympathies may switch back and forth depending on the events of
the plot. "My Son the Fanatic" begins with genuine worry for the father, Parvez.
His son's recent change in behavior has grabbed his attention and that worry
deepens when he believes that Ali may be selling or doing drugs. The sentiments
about who is in the right and who is in the wrong change a bit when Parvez
discovers that Ali is not selling drugs but has turned to religion. The sympathy
switches to Ali. The pendulum swings back when Ali is revealed to be a Muslim
extremist and not just a newly devout Muslim. Regardless of how Ali is portrayed
from that moment to the end of the story, Parvez's actions toward his son at the
very end of the story show that there are no winners or losers in the battle
between father and son.

Absent Wife and Mother Figure

The interconnectivity in this story is based largely on family dynamics and the
interrelationships among the core family members. While the story focuses
solely on Parvez and Ali, the mother figure plays a massive but invisible role.
Although she is only mentioned once in passing, the fact that the mother does
not play a role in the story is a theme in itself.
Parvez does not confide in his wife about what he has been seeing. The reader
does not know if the mother is aware of the changes in her son's behavior. An
even more telling sign is the fact that Parvez confides in a prostitute whom he
knows from his job as a cab driver. The narrator alludes to this disconnect
between Parvez and his wife by saying, "He could talk to her about things he'd
never be able to discuss with his own wife." The narrator never goes beyond that
simple statement so the reader is left to wonder why there is such a barrier
between Parvez and his wife.

In the story Parvez has three major points of contention regarding his son. The
first is the initial signs of his changing behavior that the story opens up with. The
second is the possibility that is presented by his fellow cabbies and is supported
by Bettina is that Ali may be dealing or taking drugs. The third is the realization
through observation and conversation that Ali has turned to a devoted and
somewhat fanatical Muslim. Throughout those three revelations, Parvez does not
make a single attempt to communicate anything to his wife. The only time his
wife is mentioned is while Parvez is trying to discover the source of Ali's
behavior change: "Parvez hurried into his bedroom where his wife was still
awake, sewing in bed. He ordered her to sit down and keep quiet, though she
had neither stood up nor said a word." Parvez does not share his concern about
their son's recent behavior. He does not communicate with his wife nor does she
return communication. She doesn't even wonder why her husband is acting the
way he is toward their only son.

Not only is there a disconnect between Parvez and his wife, but also between
mother and son. Ali never mentions his mother during his dinner discussion
where he declares his own father a wicked person. It is clear by his actions and
lack of discussion of his mother that Ali has not confided in her about his beliefs.
This very fact says so much about Ali and how he approaches his own life. The
very idea that he has made a massive ideological change, but not confided in
either of his parents, may show why he may be as extreme in his beliefs as he is.
It seems as if Ali lacks a true mother figure and that may have contributed to his
current system of beliefs.