Exploration of Trauma and Identity in Tabish Khair's Select Protagonists

Abstract

Tabish Khair’s works, How to Fight Islamist Terror from the Missionary Position (2012) and Night of Happiness (2018), explore the complexities of trauma, identity crises, and cultural dislocation. Through the detailed experiences of characters like Karim and Ahmed, Khair emphasizes the extensive effects of both personal and collective traumata on the identities of immigrants. Karim's experiences of Islamophobia within a Western context, alongside Ahmed's grief resulting from the tragic death of his wife amid the Riots, exemplify the ways in which trauma can fracture an individual's identity and lead to significant feelings of isolation. These narratives highlight the characters’ struggles for belonging amidst the overlapping challenges of religious, cultural, and racial divides. Utilizing trauma theory, this analysis examines how Khair articulates the broader immigrant experience, revealing the significant psychological impact of societal rejection. By integrating historical and contemporary elements into his narratives, Khair provides a perspective that amplifies the immigrant's fight for self-identity and acknowledgment. Ultimately, his works convey the persistent resilience of individuals confronting dislocation and prejudice, framing trauma as both a personal struggle and a shared reality. This examination positions Khair’s narratives within the wider conversation on trauma and identity in postcolonial literature.