Fractured Identities: Hybridity and Generational Conflict in Hanif Kureishi’s “My Son the Fanatic”

This article examines the complex interplay of hybridity and identity formation in Hanif Kureishi’s 1994 short story “My Son the Fanatic.” Through a close analysis of the father-son relationship between Parvez and Ali, this study argues that Kureishi’s work challenges simplistic notions of cultural integration, revealing instead the profound psychological and social challenges faced by immigrant families. By situating the narrative within the context of post-1960s cultural shifts and the widening generational gap, this article demonstrates how “My Son the Fanatic” serves as a microcosm for broader debates on multiculturalism, belonging, and cultural resistance. Drawing from postcolonial theory and contemporary scholarship on immigrant experiences, this analysis explores how Kureishi’s portrayal of hybridity as both a transformative force and a site of personal crisis resonates with current societal discourses on cultural identity and the pressures of globalization. Ultimately, the article argues that the story offers a nuanced critique of the failures of hybridity in Western multicultural societies, compelling readers to reconsider assumptions about integration and identity formation among immigrant communities.