The Use of Magic Realism in Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid: Exploring Class, Corruption, and Identity in Post-Colonial Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract

Mohsin Hamid's Moth Smoke (2000) delves into the complexities of post-colonial Pakistani society through the lens of its protagonist, Darashikoh Shezad, whose life unravels amidst themes of class disparity, institutional corruption, and fractured identity. This research examines the novel's use of magic realism as both a narrative technique and a thematic device that enhances its critique of social and political structures. Through the surreal elements of the story, Hamid illuminates the psychological turmoil of his protagonist and the moral decay within Pakistan’s elite class. The novel presents Lahore not only as a setting but as a metaphor for the broader societal contradictions between wealth and poverty, modernity and tradition. By exploring Daru’s identity crisis, the novel reflects the alienation experienced by individuals in a post-colonial state, where the clash of cultural and economic forces leads to profound personal and societal disintegration. This paper argues that Hamid’s fusion of magic realism with realist elements allows for a deeper understanding of the emotional and social fragmentation characteristic of post-colonial Pakistan. Ultimately, Moth Smoke critiques the impact of corruption, class divisions, and the search for self-identity in a rapidly changing world, making it a poignant exploration of contemporary issues within post-colonial literature.