Buddha of Suburbia

Throughout the novel The Buddha of Suburbia Karim struggles to find his inner identity, or what McLeod would say, his hybrid identity. From the beginning of the book, even on the first page Karim introduces himself "My name is Karim Amir, and I am an Englishman born and bred, almost”, making his identity seem as if it is one that changes. McLeod discusses identity as being a cross “which go beyond older static models, such as national identity and the notion of ‘rootedness’”(McLeod 251). Karim battles this struggle in the theatre company he joins. He knows he is supposed to play Mowgli in their Jungle Book play, but he does not see himself as a darker individual. This is a battle between hybrid identities in itself. As McLeod says “his or her subjectivity is deemed to be composed from variable sources, different materials, many locations- demolishing forever the idea of subjectivity as stable, single or ‘pure’(McLeod 253). This being said, Karim needs to ditch his heritage to truly become a new nationality.  Hybridisation is the cross over point that Karim makes when playing Mowgli in the play. A lot of other characters in this novel seem to have identity problems as well, along with Karim. However Karim is a great example of McLeod's hybrid identities at the 'in-between'.


                                                                                                                                             
The lonely Londoners is a book a lot like The Buddha of Suburbia, Both are about Indian families living in London. "Moses, Galahad, Big City, Tolroy, Five Past Twelve, and other West Indians who have come to London in search of the dream. There to face a reality of racial discrimination, poverty, harsh winters, waiting to see what tomorrow brings. This novel both joyful and sad, is an ode to the survival instinct of the modern immigrant." Karim struggle hardships as well with fitting in just like the cast of The Lonely Londoners. He struggles with identity and where he belongs in a culture he is not from.

 

 

In This Scene from the Jungle Book, Mowgli is seen. Karim plays Mowgli in a play, making these two relate. You can see Karim struggle with his sexuality and needs throughout this book. Kaa the snake is now a sex symbol, which is crazy because this is a Disney movie. However the snake can be compared to the girl he desires from play cast who is involved with the director.