The Role of Identity and Displacement in Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017)

The Role of Identity and Displacement in Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017)

Expanding the Roles:
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid follows the journey of Nadia and Saeed, a young couple who use mysterious doors to escape a war-torn city and migrate to various countries around the world. The novel explores themes of identity, displacement, and the effects of migration on personal relationships. For literature students, this book offers a unique exploration of the modern migrant experience and the fluidity of identity in the face of upheaval.

• Identity and the Migration Experience:
  As Nadia and Saeed travel through different countries, their identities are constantly challenged and reshaped by their experiences. Students can analyze how Hamid uses the theme of migration to explore the fluidity of identity and how external circumstances force individuals to rethink who they are.

• Displacement and the Search for Home:
  The characters’ journey is one of displacement, as they search for a sense of belonging in a rapidly changing world. Students can explore how Exit West addresses the universal human need for stability, community, and a place to call home, and how this search shapes their relationships and identities.

What We Learn:
Exit West offers literature students a powerful lens through which to examine the themes of migration, displacement, and the impact of global crises on personal identity. The novel challenges readers to think critically about the nature of borders, belonging, and the ever-changing notion of home.