Identitetsdannelse i senmoderniteten: analyse af 'The Buddha of Suburbia'

This paper examines the formation of young people’s identity in the postmodern society, and illustrates two different theories on creating an identity. The dilemmas and challenges teenagers are facing, such as choosing their sexuality and taking infinite decisions concerning their future will also be clarified. In addition the paper includes an analysis of the short story “The Buddha of Suburbia” based on a characterisation and an interpretation of Karim’s personality and the conflicts which occur with his family, in search of his identity. Finally, the paper concludes that Karim is a victim of a failed marriage which leads to him being confused, and unable to develop a stable identity.

Indholdsfortegnelse

Indledning s. 3

Identitetsdannelsen

Erik Eriksons’ teori om identitetsdannelse s.4

Senmoderniteten s.5

Anthony Giddens’ teori - Social Arena s.6

Unge med anden etnisk baggrund i det senmorderne samfund s.6

Analyse af The Buddha of Suburbia

Resume s.6

Analyse og fortolkning s.7

Diskussion af problemstillingen i forhold til Karims identitetsdannelse

Diskussion s.8

Konklusion s.8

Litteraturliste s. 8

Indledning

I denne opgave tages der udgangspunkt i unges identitetsdannelse, i det såkaldte senmoderne samfund, belyst med Erik Eriksons’ og Anthony Giddens teorier. Derefter analyseres den engelske short story ”The Buddha of Suburbia” af Hanif Kureishei (1987) set ud fra hovedpersonens identitetsproblemer. Der sluttes af med at diskussion af Karims identitetsdannelse i forhold til de nævnte teorier.