Analyse af Hanif Kureishis 'My Son the Fanatic'

Though “My Son the Fanatic”, as the main thing, throws light on the clash between religious fanaticism and values of the modern western society, it’s too a story about a father and his struggle to prevent his son from getting into the clutches of extremism. Parvez, our main character, is pictured as a successfully integrated immigrant, (in the eyes of society that is.) He is on the grounds of his financial independence (“He had been a taxi-driver for twenty years.”) not to be looked upon as a societal burden. But Parvez the private individual struggles, among other things, with an overconsumption of alcohol (“Parvez went more often to the whiskey bottle, even when he was at work.”). What takes over the first place of problems though is Parvez’s relationship with his anti-social son Ali. Ali has isolated himself from everything relating him to English and thereby western culture. (“Ali has parted with his English girlfriend. His old friends stopped ringing.” (...) “But one day, beside the dustbin, he found a shopping bag that contained not only old toys but computer disks, videotapes, new books and fashionable clothes.”) That Ali dissociates himself from all values of western civilization must in truth be both offensive and wounding in proportion to Parvez’s pride and outlook on life. Parvez has, unlike Ali, picked up western custom and values (““But I love England”, Parvez said, “They let you do almost anything here.””) His philosophy of life builds on old Christian values (“Parvez said that people had to treat one another with respect, particularly their parents.”) as well as modern philosophies (“But while I’m here on earth I want to make the best of it.”) Ali follows the laws of the Koran – or the extremists’ interpretation of it, that is. Without knowing much about Islam or the Koran and its laws I permit myself to regard the Koran as being both disciplinary and strict in comparison with for an example the Bible. Ali appears both intolerant (“The west was a sink of hypocrites, adulterers, homosexuals, drug users and prostitutes.”) and mechanized (“In a low, monotonous voice, the boy explained that Parvez had not, in fact, lived a good life.”) Characteristic of western civilisation is the individuality. Ali has, by converting to Islam, given up his individuality. (“I, and a million of others, will gladly give our lives for the cause.”) He has relinquished his identity, his future and ambitions, (“Ali said he was going to work in prison...”) and thereby wrecked his fathers dream. (“His dreams of doing well in England would have come true.”)