ABSTRACT
Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and H. M. Naqvi’s Homeboy are renowned works of 9/11 literature written by Pakistanis in English. Likewise, the 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act of Pakistan (with the 2001 amendment) and the PATRIOT released in the US have become well-known policy documents. This chapter focuses on the major thematic concerns that the novels raise, and traces the character development of each protagonist within each of them, ultimately contrasting these literary elements with the anti-terrorism acts of both the US and Pakistan. The study clarifies the definition of a ‘terrorist’ as provided by the acts, and then highlights how it is these very definitions that are subtly juxtaposed with the advent of the protagonists of the novels. More importantly, the chapter also traces the gradual changes of perception that have occurred as a result of these acts and their depiction in literature. It compares and contrasts the key differences in policy and perception between the two countries. The distinctive feature of this study is that it synthesizes English literature with public policy. This understanding of literature with policy is intertwined with the works of Christine C. Fair, John Kaltner and Quintain Wiktorowicz, and Peter Morey and Amina Yaqin.
