The Buddha of Suburbia Literary Elements

Fiction

The story takes place during the 1970s. The story begins in the suburbs of London, then transitions to central London and to New York.

The story's narrator is Karim Amir. Karim uses first-person narration to describe the story's events.

The tone of the story is biting, humorous, and critical. The mood is farcical.

The protagonist is Karim Amir. There are various antagonists; symbolically, the main antagonist is institutional racism, but it is embodied in the form of Pyke, Shadwell, and Heater.

The major conflict in the novel is internal. Karim must consider his values and what is important to him as he embarks on his acting career.

The climactic point in the story occurs when Karim visits New York and spends time with Charlie. After witnessing Charlie's superstardom up close and realizing how they have each changed over time, Karim makes the decision to move back to London and pursue his acting career.

One example of foreshadowing occurs when Haroon brings home Indian food. The wrapper holding the chapatis is disintegrating due to the food's grease, thus foreshadowing the dissolution of the Amir family following Haroon's affair.

Karim explains that each day Haroon reads The New Statesman, which is a progressive political and cultural magazine published in London.

The clothing that Haroon wears on his first session at Eva's house is described in vivid visual imagery. In his choice of diction, Karim likens Haroon's outfit to a costume.

Charlie and Karim's brief fling parallels their parents' relationship. Karim admires Charlie and sees him as some sort of ideal, which is how Haroon views Eva.

An example of synecdoche is when some British people that Karim encounters, in their racist hatred, use the term "Pakis" to reference all South Asian immigrants in the UK. An example of metonymy is when Karim explains that he has emerged from "two old histories," referring to his respective British and Indian heritage.

In Chapter Eight, Karim uses personification to describe love. He describes it as "a narrow-eyed, exclusive, selfish bastard."