Identity Crisis through Ambivalence in Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Abstract:

The objective of this article is to explore how ambivalence becomes the reason for the

identity crisis. Kamila Shamsie is a British Pakistani author. She wrote Home Fire, her seventh

novel in 2017. A qualitative method is used to describe Home Fire in the light of ambivalence,

a fundamental notion by Homi. K. Bhabha and Theory of Identity Crisis by Erik Erikson, who

says that the identity of a person is a major conflict of his life. Bhabha is an Indian critic and

a prominent figure exploring postcolonial theory. In this novel, Kamila Shamsie highlights the

identity crisis, nationality, and socio-political issues for Muslims in Britain and portrays the

ambivalent nature of the characters in the novel. We see three protagonists; Isma and her twin

siblings Aneeka and Pervaiz. They are deliberated as the children of a Jihadi. In the first

chapter of this novel, Isma’s attempt to maintain her cultural identity with British nationality

shows her ambivalent behavior. Aneeka’s love for Eamonn and for Pervaiz highlights her

ambivalent character. Both Isma and Aneeka wear hijab and face identity crisis for veiling in

the West. Karamat Lone, Home Secretary, also shows ambivalent attitude. In this article, the

issue of ambivalence and struggle for the maintenance of identity in the West is elucidated.

Key Words: Ambivalence, British Muslims, Identity Crisis, Nationality, Struggle.

Introduction:

This study explores ambivalence as the reason behind identity crisis in the light of the

identity crisis theory of Erik Erikson and ambivalence by Homi K. Bhabha in Home Fire by

Kamila Shamsie. Shamsie has portrayed the modern world's clashes among society, family,

and religion. The story revolves around Isma and her twin siblings, Aneeka and Pervaiz, who
are considered the children of a jihadi. Dwight Garner culminates immigration, jihad, and

familial love as the central themes of Home Fire in The New York Times (2017), while

according to Michael Schaub; In NPR 2017, the friction between Muslims and Westerners

forms the ground for Home Fire in the post-9/11 (Aamer Shaheen).

Isma has taken care of her siblings after the death of their parents for seven years. In

this novel, we see characters' different perspectives about freedom, duty, faith, and love.

Muslims struggle to be part of the dominant society while maintaining their traditional and

cultural identity, creating ambivalence. In the novel, the protagonists, Isma, Aneeka, and

Pervaiz, show ambivalent behavior throughout the novel. Shamsie has depicted the confusing

identities of the characters.

Erik Erikson gave his theory of the Identity Crisis. According to him, it is a

developmental stage in which people question their sense of self or place in the world, which

is the central conflict of someone's life. Erikson has rewritten and compiled twenty years' of

essays on the subject matter of identity. He has explained psychoanalytic theory and how much

this theory has changed since Freud (Keniston). Ambivalence is used to elaborate on the cause

behind Muslims' identity crisis in the West. Homi K. Bhabha has given the concept of

ambivalence a prominent figure in theories concerned with colonialism and post-

colonialism. Ambivalence is a dual reaction, hybridization of cultures creates ambivalence.

Isma and her siblings develop ambivalent identities. Isma's hijab, Aneeka's hijab and her

purpose of saving her brother, Pervaiz's decision to follow the way of his father, and Karamat

Lone's dual attitude toward Islam and the West, show their ambivalent stance that leads to

identity crisis.

The British government and ISIS use strategies to betray and limit Muslim rights in

Britain, which is deception toward British Muslims. Karamat Lone, as the Home Secretary of

Britain, represents the government of Britain. Karamat has declared himself an atheist in
Britain to achieve political status in the West. He recites Ayat-ul-Kursi but does not let anybody

know about his Muslim identity. He has not entirely forgotten his ethnic and religious identity

(Nindita).

Literature Review:

This research paper 'Identity Crisis through Ambivalence' discusses how ambivalence

becomes a reason for an identity crisis. Erik Erikson's Theory of Identity Crisis and Homi K.

Bhabha's Ambivalence elucidate how characters show their ambivalent behavior and fail to

maintain an identity. 'Exploring Muslims' Diasporic Identities: A Textual Analysis of

Shamsie's novel Home Fire (2017) From Hall's (1996) Perspective' by Fatima et al. explores

Muslim diasporic identities (Asma) .

Muslim women wear hijab to show their ethnoreligious identity in the West (Bullock)

(Killian). Muslim immigrant women wear hijab and niqab to express their Muslim and

American identity in the USA (Rhys H. Williams). According to researchers, veiling affirms a

new identity for Western converts to Islam (Byng). Frank's findings parallel British converts

who face discrimination due to their hijab (Franks). It is also patent in the news media. Due to

adverse media representation of women with hijab and veil, hijab and veil were banned in

public schools of Canada and France (Bullock). Media has depicted Muslims and Islam as

culturally conflicting with the values, standards, and interests of Western countries (Said).

Media demonstrations are vital to generating mutual awareness for deciphering a widespread

range of social events and disputes, including Muslim women's hijab and veil in the West

(Altheid).

According to Nindita, Home Fire may be a location of instability and devastation. UK

(United Kingdom) as a state and ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) as a dystopia can be

used to symbolize home. Fire, whether from the inside or outside, can be seen as a type of effort
at destruction (Nindita). Home should be a haven of safety and comfort, but in this story,

"home" is a place of chaos brought on by lies. Their nation's main protagonists were denied

security, but ISIS enticed them to join them. Isma, Aneeka, and Pervaiz are the protagonists

and symbolize Muslims of Britain. They were born and raised in the United Kingdom. Their

father was a convicted terrorist who perished in Guantánamo Bay.

Ashcroft et al. (2006) discuss a novel that considers the date of its deployment in the

current environment. According to his assessment, this novel depicts a hostile universe that is

a sophisticated test environment for Muslims, and he is a daring author who has undertaken

this problematic work. Readers demand both the black and white sides of terrorists and

Muslims, as well as non-terrorists and non-Muslims, as a source of irritation. He uses the

concepts of 'Westoxification' and 'Fundamentalism' in his research. However, this topic is not

mentioned in the novel Home Fire's state function. That is why this notion has been associated

with Muslims rather than being evaluated by other members of society (Bill Ashcroft).

In Kamila Shamsie's novel, Home Fire, the author emphasizes the importance of space

in constructing identity in the Muslim diasporic community. In addition, he explores how

religion, ethnicity, and citizenship discourses are intertwined in the analysis. As a result, this

study helps develop a new narrative about Islam and Muslims, one that contradicts traditional

prevalent discourse on partial Islamophobia in Western cultures. Shamsie considers identity as

protean and flexible to counter the monolithic character of Muslims and Islam as portrayed in

the prevailing discourse of the somewhat Islamophobia Western culture, according to the

study's core point (Byng).

The 9/11 scenario has obliterated the idea of hybridity as a third space in the

postcolonial framework, returning to the binary of "Us/Them," "West/Islam," and

"Terrorized/Terrorist." There is no third area between these two binary extremes defined by

ambivalence and hybridity. The post-9/11 world has worsened the condition of postcolonial
mimic men by reinstating the dichotomy of 'Us/Them' among Westerners and Muslims. Peace-

loving members of both binaries, such as Eamonn and Aneeka (West/ Muslim), who

complicate and challenge both sides of the 'Us/Them: Terrorized/Terrorist' dichotomy, have no

choice but to serve as fodder for these extremes in our post-9/11 society (Nindita).

Suppose a third intermediary space left between both binaries. In that case, it is the

space of a vacuum left for collateral harm to both binaries, as symbolically conveyed by Kamila

Shamsie through the characters of Eamonn and Aneeka. Author brilliantly illustrates this

complicated post-9/11 environment that does not allow the binaries to abandon their place.

After realizing the paranoid terror of extremism perched at either end of the 'Us/Them'

dichotomy, Pervaiz has no room to inhabit, who is dissident from his respective end of the

binary. Like Eamonn and Aneeka, he must be hurled into that interim black hole of collateral

harm. Worse, the destiny of damage is not bestowed by their adversaries instead by their binary

end (Nindita).

Discussion and Analysis:

Kamila Shamsie has raised the issues of identity and Westerners' attitudes towards

Muslims after 9/11 in her novel Home Fire. This study explores character's struggle to maintain

their identity. They face an identity crisis due to their ambivalent attitude as they are trying to

maintain their cultural identity in white or British society. Isma Pasha, the novel's protagonist,

is trying to maintain her British identity. Isma is traveling from London to Massachusetts for

her Ph.D. in Sociology. She is being interrogated at Heathrow Airport for two hours because

of her hijab. According to Byng, "France, Britain, and the USA faced security concerns and

retaliated differently to veiling by Muslim women in the public sphere after the terrorist attacks

of 9/11. In France, secularism was used to ban the hijab for employees and public school

students. In Britain, a politicized debate was held on the appropriateness of niqab" (Byng).
In Home Fire, we see the characters of Isma and Aneeqa, who wear hijab and undergo identity

issues. The security officer asks Isma about her nationality at the airport.

"Do you consider yourself British?"

"I am British" (Shamsie, 2017: 05)

The above quotation shows the behavior of Westerners towards Muslim women and

their niqab (veil) and hijab. Isma's hijab is not supporting her response. She has covered her

head like a Muslim woman and claims to be British, while British women do not wear a hijab.

She is released when officers confirm that the US has approved her student visa. She missed

her flight because of wearing a hijab. A girl is suspected of being Muslim. Al-Sudaery explores

the stereotypical relationship of women with veils. She elaborated that Muslim women wear

the veil due to their deep faith, repelling male hegemony and mainstream feminist assumptions.

When women wear hijab, 'her modest appearance becomes a refusal on her part to be drawn

into the politics of gender power equations' (Moaddle). Shamsie has highlighted how Britishers

see Muslims and what they think about them. Later, Isma is observed by her friend Eamonn

for wearing a hijab. Eamonn is the son of British Home Secretary Karamat Lone, who is a

Muslim of Pakistani origin. Isma meets Eamonn in Massachusetts. In her first meeting with

Eamonn, he asks her about her turban.

"The turban. Is that a style thing or a Muslim thing?"

"The only two people in Massachusetts who have ever asked me about it both wanted to know

if it's a style thing or a chemo thing." (Shamsie, 2017: 21)

Karamat Lone goes to churches instead of mosques as he has changed his identity and

nationality by putting his Muslim faith behind him. So Eamonn does not know his real identity,

origin, or religion. He is surprised to see Isma in a hijab and asks her whether it is a style thing

or fashion. This discussion shows the curiosity of people living in the West to know about

Muslims' views about their religion and faith. They want to know what a Muslim thinks about
Islam while living in Britain and trying to be part of white society. Eamonn's behavior towards

Muslims and their appearance shows how his father has raised him. Eamonn further shares his

views about Islam and being Muslim.

"Cancer or Islam - which is the greater affliction… I meant, it must be difficult to be Muslim

in the world these days."

"I'd find it more difficult to not be Muslim" (Shamsie, 2017: 21)

The above quotations show how his Muslim father has brought him up that it is

challenging for Muslims to live in this world near him. Isma gives the above response to

Eamonn, showing her loyalty to her religion. Still, the question of identity arises as she lives in

a country where Muslims get no eminence. Karamat Lone has completely changed his identity

and nationality. He has left his faith behind, speaks against Muslims, and calls them terrorists.

Karamat is an accurate depiction of the corruption of the British government.

According to Al Nindita, "this deception is done by two strategies; manipulation and

limited rights. Karamat Lone has manipulated his identity to get political power. He is Muslim

and British- Pakistani, but he betrayed his origin and religion by claiming an atheist in public

in Britain. His character shows that a Muslim is facing various problems in the West due to the

Muslim itself. Following quotation by Karamat Lone shows his ambivalent attitude" (Nindita).

"You know I grew up a believing Muslim… There are still moments of stress when I'll recite

Ayat al-Kursi as a kind of reflex... I'd prefer it if you didn't mention it to anyone… I'd be

nervous about a home secretary who's spoken openly about his atheism but secretly recites

Muslim prayers." (Shamsie 2017: 107)

It shows the ambivalent character of Karamat Lone. He asks his son to hide his identity

and always avoid things related to Islam. Karamat wants his son to stay away from Muslims

and their issues. In the novel, we see the negative perception of Karamat's character about

Muslims. Muslims come under the term of otherness in Britain and other Western countries.
Karamat has adopted British ideologies inside him and fears losing his political position as a

Home Secretary due to his origin and religious identity. Britishers not only manipulate Muslims

but also limit their rights. Britain claims to be a multicultural and multiethnic country where

people of different origins, races, and religions live independently. However, they are not

getting their rights, especially Muslims (Nindita).

In the beginning, there is a clear connection between Isma and Eamonn, but Eamonn

falls for Isma's sister when he returns from Massachusetts to London. Aneeka uses him to get

her brother back as Eamon's father is Home Secretary in Britain. She is manipulating him

because she needs him to save her brother, Pervaiz.

I got into the Tube because I thought the Home Secretary's son could help my brother come

home and avoid charges." (Shamsie, 2017: 96)

In the above reference, Aneeka accepts her intentions for loving Eamonn. She has a

determination, and that is her brother's return. She wants her brother to return home safely,

which is only possible when an influential figure will help her. That is why she is using

Eamonn. Eamonn tries to help Aneeka because he is genuinely in love with Aneeka, but his

father warns him and asks him to stay away from Aneeka and her family matters. Karamat

Lone has changed his religion to survive in the West. He does not want himself or his family

in trouble. Eamonn's love for Aneeqa is genuine, but she has the purpose of saving her brother

Pervaiz. According to her, love is something more powerful that can be used to accomplish

your aim. So she seduces Eamonn, assures her love for him, and then asks him for her brother's

safe arrival. Shamsie has compared Aneeka's love for Eamonn with familial love.

"He was not a twin to a twin but rather the only male in a house that knew all the secrets that

women shared with one another but none that fathers taught their sons." (Shamsie, 2017:

127)
 Another character is Pervaiz, who is the younger brother of Isma, twin of Aneeka. He

is guilty but not fratricide. He is innocent as he does not kill anybody. Therefore readers feel

ambivalence about Pervaiz's character. Pervaiz dies due to his mixed reaction; he cannot

understand which way he must go. His character is confusing, ambivalent, and

misguided. Home Fire title indicates the homegrown terrorism that becomes the reason for

Pervaiz's tragic end.

According to Duderija, "For centuries Muslims have resided in the West with huge

communities that are established since later twentieth century, while home grown terrorism is

an innovative phenomenon began in the beginning of the twenty-first century after the attacks

on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001" (Duderija). Shamsie has portrayed the

arrogance of the Westerners towards Muslims after the incident of 9/11. Pervaiz questions his

gender role as he lives in a house full of women. He is raised by women, his mother, and his

elder sister. He is the only man in Pasha Family. Shamsie has used Quranic verse to portray

this idea of the superiority of men.

"Men are in charge of women because Allah has made one of them to excel the other"

(Shamsie 2017: 130)

We see how circumstances change someone's perception. Aneeka also shows the same

attitude. She is not in love with Eamonn; instead, she uses him to save her brother because

Eamonn is the son of the Home Secretary of Britain. She wants a successful career in Britain

and wears a hijab like her sister Isma. She demonstrates ambivalence regarding identity as she

wants to be educated to have a better future in Britain and also has feelings for her ethnic

identity.

Conclusion:
All the siblings face an identity crisis due to their dual nature toward their adoptive and

traditional cultures. Muslims are marginalized due to their traditional and ethnic identity. Isma

and her siblings epitomize an ambivalent attitude that becomes a hurdle for them while living

in Britain. Isma is a true Muslim who shows that her devotion to her faith is more prestigious

than her nationality. She wears a hijab and feels proud of wearing it even in the West. Aneeka

is ready to sacrifice his love for Eamon over her brother’s love. Pervaiz cannot choose the right

path, and his wrong decision results in his tragic end. Karamat Lone shows an ambivalent

attitude towards his religion and prefers to live as an atheist to maintain his political hegemony.

Shamsie portrayed the characters that spectacle ambivalence throughout the novel and

highlighted the issues Muslims face regarding identity.

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