THE PICTURE OF ORIENTALISM COLORED BY THE CHARACTERS IN T HE B U D DHA O F S U B U R B I A

THE PICTURE OF ORIENTALISM COLORED BY THE CHARACTERS IN T HE B U D DHA O F S U B U R B I A

Pektaş, Rümeysa
Sümeyra Pektaş, Havva

This study exhibits how orientalist view reveals itself in The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi. Many of the subjects represented in the novel are still relevant in today’s society. One of the most important one is “Orientalism” which is portrayed by the author throughout the novel. We search for answer why orientalism has essential place in the plot. In the novel we feel that the author aims to arouse attention of the readers in orientalism experienced by immigrants from non-Western backgrounds. In order to obtain a deep understanding of the theme “orientalism”, definition and historical background of the term is presented in this paper. The analysis of the novel’s genre and characters are examined in detail by quotations from the novel. The novel has many autobiographical traits therefore we give a place to author’s biography to establish a connection. It can be clearly understood that the author reflects his own identity with the protagonist Karim like most of the characters in the novel who have connection to his real life. The author addresses orientalism in the novel through these characters’ lives. In this respect, it becomes relevant to elaborate character analysis. In conclusion, in the novel the theme orientalism is analysed from a postmodern perspective and it is aimed to shed light on the issue that it shouldn’t be underestimated the role of the characters chosen in the novel on this subject. Keywords: Orientalism, postmodernism, Bildungsroman, otherness.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2014

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