The Definition of Bildungsroman in the Novel, Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi
Bildungsroman is primarily described as "A novel that has as its main theme the formative years or spiritual education of one person" (OED online). In Hanif Kureishi's Buddha of Suburbia, however, an alternate definition may be more suitable to the characters involved. Colin Wilson provides a secondary definition in the Oxford English Dictionary that defines Bildungsroman as "a sort of laboratory in which the hero conducts an experiment in living" (OED online). This is precisely what occurs in Buddha of Suburbia; Karim utilizes his life and his experiences as a way to discover more about himself and develop as an individual.
Part of this evolution he undergoes is his geographic evolution as well. As the title suggests, he is part of Suburbia, and that is a part of himself he is not content with. The novel is dependent upon Karim's coming of age process and the multiple ways in which he evolves as an individual.
Buddha of Suburbia is a coming of age novel in all respects of the term. The novel centres on Karim, the mixed-race, sexually confused protagonist. He is unhappy with the current state of his suburban life, and desires something more. The novel follows Karim and his "experiment in living" (OED online). Karim must sort out multiple aspects of his identity, mainly his racial, sexual and personal identities.
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One of the major aspects of Karim's learning experience is that of his racial identity. Although he doesn't seem to evolve in regard to his racial identity, he does become more aware of his racial identity. Although he has made his racial identity clear from the opening lines, "I am often considered to be a funny kind of Englishmen" (3) he is rather reserved in his outward actions about it. It is mostly his acting that brings many uneasy racial issues, such as his portrayal of Mowgli in The Jungle Book, to light.
Karim, is too pale and too British and has to cover himself in brown makeup and try to tackle a "proper" Indian accent in order to be the authentic Indian that is desired of him. As the book progresses, however, he seems to keep ending up in these "token" Asian roles. While it is probably, in the most part out of necessity, these roles, especially the role that reflects Changez serve as a channel of discovery for Karim. The character that he has developed from Changez has evolved into a semi-autographical representation of Karim. The evolution of Karim's personal identity is also largely related to his ambitions and developments as an actor.
Another aspect of Karim's identity that he expresses rather freely and very openly is his sexual identity. Despite his openness with this aspect of himself, he admits that he "never liked to think about the whole thing in case I turned out to be a pervert [...] When I did think about it I considered myself lucky that I could go to parties and go home with anyone from any sex- not that I went to too many parties, none at all really, but if I did, I could you know, trade either way" (55). The Buddha of Suburbia novel is generously sprinkled with Karim's assorted lovers and love interests.
Location is an often repeated aspect, or mirror for an individual's growth or development in regard to bildungsroman. An often repeated theme, evident in Buddha of Suburbia is that of the individual's journey towards the city. In the introductory paragraph by Karim he introduces himself as "from the South London suburbs and going somewhere" (Kureishi 3). He's not content to settle and stay in the suburbs. The city is representative of opportunities, civilization, and future, while suburbia epitomizes the boring static existence that one hopes to escape from.
Karim describes the suburbs as a life dominated by influence and entertainment value. Their idea of exotic mysticism is the type manufactured by Haroon. Karim also expresses his family's lack of inclusion in these boundaries, "Mum and Dad always felt out of place and patronized on these grand occasions, where lives were measured by money. They were of no use to anyone and there was nothing they sought from any of the guests" (Kureishi 42).
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The Definition of Bildungsroman in the Novel, Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi. (2023, Jun 27). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-definition-of-bildungsroman-in-the-novel-buddha-of-suburbia-by-hanif-kureishi/
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