Like in My Son The Fanatic', it is clear that the young boy has begun to question some of the accepted codes and values of the society in which he lives.
My Son The Fanatic' is a powerful and confronting story about a father, who is trying to restore his relationship with his son who has joined a right wing fundamentalist group. The story takes place on neutral ground and gives both the father and sons point of view, this is particularly helpful in establishing the theme of childhood and youth as it provides the reader with different and contrasting views. Ali is a Muslim youth who unlike his father, cannot ignore the prejudices around him and conform to western society. Instead, like many second-generation Muslim youths he feels like an unwelcome visitor'. For Ali, religious fundamentalism seems to offer an alternative to a prejudiced and immoral society and gives him the opportunity to fit in. Throughout the story Ali is continually fighting against the sinfulness' of a capitalist society' and cannot forgive his father, who he felt has betrayed his religion, his heritage and his identity the problem is this You are too implicated in western civilization' . Ali is a youth who feels isolated and discriminated against since living in Britain they made jokes about the local mullahs walking around with their caps and beards . This is also the cause for his hostile feelings towards his father. The Western Materialists hate us Papa, how can you love something which hates you?' It is evident that Ali is a confused youth who is rebelling against the subordination and hatred in western society. However this is ironic because, to a certain extent, it would seem that Ali has institutionalized hatred under the fazade of his religion and culture they could hardly condemn the boy for his devotions'. .
The fictional element of irony is useful within this short story as it helps to portray to the reader Ali's sense of isolation as well as rigid fundamentalism.
