Depiction of Society and Economy in Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke

Abstract

Pakistani English literature has gained worldwide recognition in the past two decades. It became more popular in the 1980s with early writers like Ahmed Ali, Mumtaz Shahnawaz, Zulfikar Ghose, Bapsi Sidhwa, and Tariq Ali, who played a big role in shaping it. Contemporary writers like Mohsin Hamid (The Reluctant Fundamentalist, 2007) and Kamila Shamsie have brought Pakistani English literature to a global audience. Their works explore themes like identity, migration, and political conflict. Mohsin Hamid use unique storytelling techniques, such as second-person narration and one sided conversations. His simple yet powerful writing blends local and global themes, making his stories relatable to reader. Moth Smoke explores alienation and identity crisis through Daru, who falls from privilege to poverty, addiction, and crime. His self-destruction mirrors a moth drawn to a flame, symbolizing his downfall. This study examines the societal pressures, financial struggles, and identity crises that shape a protagonist, Daru, showing alienation can put Daru toward self-destruction and change in his identity.