LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Redefining Secularism -
An Analysis of John Updike's Terrorist and
Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Post-9/11 Novels

C. Amutha Charu Sheela, M.A., M.Phil., M.B.A.

The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.
"September 1, 1939". W. H. Auden

Effects of Secularism

Secularism implies that life can be best lived by applying ethics, reasoning, non-discrimination among religions as well as guaranteeing the human rights of all citizens, regardless of creed. It is paradoxically believed that the secularization of a society protects it from religious fundamentalism. However, the attempt to marginalize religion through secularism has actually strengthened religious fundamentalism in the world of our times.

It is no secret that in the age of globalization there has been a parochial retreat into religious fundamentalism and fierce anti- internationalist interests. Honor killings in South Asia are due to stern adherence to a traditional code of conduct. Hindu - Muslim strife in India, war torn West Bank and the ethnic cleansing in some parts of the world are caused by reversion to religious customs, conventions and regional sentiments.

Effects of Transnationalism

The dawn of the twenty-first century witnessed the flow of capital, labor, media and ideologies. This marked the beginning of new era, an era of transnationalism. As a result of transnationalism, formations have transgressed national borders producing new social formations, which often lead to cultural and religious fanaticism.

Multiple Identifications

The new global order has led to the politicization of identity in the form of fundamentalism, xenophobia and a fanatical espousal of tradition. There are multiple identifications and contested affiliations in the era of globalization. Fresh infusions from different parts of the world for generations after generations into American life made Americans create a nation with a common identity and objectives, while welcoming and sustaining religious culture and ethnic diversity.

Violent Attack on Secularism

The belief in this state of secularism has been threatened by the attacks on the twin towers on 9/11. The question of belonging has become increasingly territorialized and penalized.

The question of identity which occupies centre stage in the troubled territories of nationalism and citizenship has become even more contested in the 9/11 landscape. Some critics call this century as the post- secular era, the word can denote either the turn to religion or the upsurge of all kinds of fundamentalism.

A Portrait of Resurgence

This paper is an attempt to analyze this scenario through a reading of John Updike's twenty-second novel, intriguingly named as The Terrorist and Mohsin Hamid's Reluctant Fundamentalist.

This study evaluates the extent to which Updike and Hamid are able to portray the resurgence of this sort of religious, social, cultural and political struggles related to it.

These two writers write from different locations: Updike is a mainstream writer, writing in a white Christian/secular mainstream society; while Hamid writes from a mainstream predominantly patriarchal, Muslim Pakistan. Both the novels attempt to grapple with a cataclysmic event in American history, the destruction of the Twin Towers.

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