Abstract

This study addresses the thematic concerns of black doors in the novel Exit West. The study follows the constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling of text has been made from the novel. Magical realism as a literary genre is taken as a central point to do a thematic analysis of the text and to show how supernatural elements coupled with realistic elements represent different themes. The analysis shows that the doors represent uncertainty and danger, aspirations of third world countries people to migrate to a better country, the concept of escape, the emotive role of reuniting people, and the concept of Islamophobia and Xenophobia associated with migrants.

Key Words

Exit West, Magical Doors, Magical Realism, Migrants, Supernatural

Introduction

The term 'magic realism' broadly refers to a writing style or technique that incorporates both magical and supernatural happenings, narrated in a realistic manner without any uncertainty regarding the improbability of these events. It challenges the essence of existence and highlights the process of formation by employing a novel blend of reality and imagination. The term 'magical realism' (Magischer Realismus) was first introduced in 1925 by Franz Roh, a German art critic. He employed it to delineate a transition towards a more verisimilar artistic methodology, subsequent to the abstract essence of Expressionism (p. 134). Initially, this style emerged from Latin-American writers who portrayed reality by integrating unusual and magical elements to demonstrate the liveliness and intricacy of their society. The origins of this literary style are thought to date back to the 1940s, when Spanish American writers such as Miguel Angel Asturias and Alejo Carpentier gained recognition for their significant works Men of Maize and The Kingdom of this World, respectively. These authors used various indigenous aspects, including folklore, cultural beliefs, and distinct geographical and political contexts. The primary features commonly found in these novels encompass the metamorphosis of characters into animals, the aid provided by the deceased to enslaved individuals, the retrograde progression of time, and the inversion of time. The English language witnessed a surge in the popularity of this literary phenomenon after the publication of Marquez's work One Hundred Years of Solitude in 1970. Morrison, Allende, and Esquivel are among the female writers who have utilized this literary technique. Salman Rushdie, Alexie, and other male writers also utilized this approach. 

Magical Realism incorporates various fundamental ideas, including the significance of magic and myth, the critique of logic and development, skepticism towards reality, and the exploration of identity. Furthermore, it utilizes distinctive methods of presentation. Most works of magic realist literature demonstrate the exceptional capacity to employ myth and magic to create an alternative vision of reality. It distinguishes itself from the popularly held notion of "real life". Both Marquez and Allende recognized the influence of their forebears on their creative compositions. These writers pushed the limits of what can be accomplished by creating timeless stories and tales that have been passed down through generations. Different novels like One Hundred Years of Solitude illustrate the gradual decay of long-established principles and the waning bond between people and animals that transpired with the arrival of the modern era. Another prominent motif in magic realist literature is the 'interrogation of reality', achieved through the use of inventive language that instills uncertainty about the concept of reality and the capacity of writing to accurately depict it. Writers such as Marquez and Allende incorporate both actual and fictional actions into their depiction of reality. Borges views reality as a study of multiple universes and existences, challenging commonly held assumptions about the perceived reality. In reality, magic realistic literature explores politically charged interpretations of the style of magical realism, which emerged during the 'Boom' period of the 1960s. This was further fueled by the enthusiastic promotion of novels utilizing this form by publishers and distributors. Márquez, Borges, Carpentier, Bulgakov, and Esquivel used numerous elements of magical realism in their works. Their works have numerous repeating motifs and themes, such as 'magic and myth', 'identification', 'reason and development', and 'questioning of reality', all of which are closely connected to specific cultural and political observations. Many magic realism authors believe that the concept of existence does not have a direct correlation with the observable world. The writer utilized magic realist techniques to deviate from their usual conventional depictions by actively engaging with the oral narratives of Indigenous groups. 

Through his extensive intercultural exposure, Hamid has made a significant contribution to 21st-century literature by exploring analytical subjects such as globalization, identity, diaspora, and their profound influence. His fiction is distinguished by its combination of meticulously constructed storytelling and intellectually stimulating exploration of current societal concerns. The fiction he writes, similar to that of Dickens skillfully integrates personal and political elements, skillfully intertwining intimate private narratives within larger politico-cultural frameworks. The universal appeal of his works, which seamlessly resonate with both individual and global contexts, contributes to their widespread popularity that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. 

The novel seamlessly combines elements of realism and magical realism to vividly portray the lives of actual migrants. It explored themes of love, identity, displacement, cultural conflicts, and adaptability in a hyper-realistic and visually descriptive literary style. The novel also examines current geopolitical events by presenting them in a story set in the near future: "flying robots soaring high in the darkening sky, unseen but always on people's minds" (Hamid, 2017, p. 83). Chambers (2011) stated that the novel's entirety displayed clear polar conflicts and tensions (p. 216). The statement suggests that Nadia partially conformed to the stereotypes associated with the developed countries, while Saeed partially conformed to the stereotypes associated with the developing countries. The work also portrayed the contemporary issue of migration and refugees in the 21st century, along with its impact on individual well-being. Exist West addresses the unavoidable movement of individuals across nations, and even continents, in times of societal turmoil and conflict. The text illustrates the difficult situation faced by refugees in their countries that have been devastated by war, with a particular emphasis on an unidentified city that has been torn apart by civil conflict. The negative and defamatory stereotyping of various groups, along with the continued defamation, particularly following the immigration policy of closing borders to migrants has led to the creation of counter-discourses such as "Exist West." Furthermore, Hamid, the author of Exit West, not only presents Omar's (2017) viewpoint on the novel as a remedy for the current mistreatment of migrants but also achieves a universalization of the refugee experience by intentionally leaving the city unidentified and emphasizing the notion that we are all migrants throughout history. The narrative explored a range of subjects, including interpersonal relationships, The themes explored in Nadia and Saeed's love story include religion, identity, worldwide cultural hybridity, the metaphor of life through a mystery gate, and subalternity. These elements contribute to the suffering experienced by those who were left behind. Exit West not only chronicles the journey of Nadia and Saeed as they navigate and manage their identities in the face of migration and displacement on a personal level but also delves into the worldwide refugee crisis and its consequences. Hamid's literary works are highly significant in contemporary world literature as they effectively include readers in experiencing empathy and confronting urgent societal problems via the use of engaging character depiction and thought-provoking narrative approaches. In Hamid's popular book Exit West, the presence of magical doors is a recurring theme that prompts significant personal development and self-discovery for the main protagonists, Saeed and Nadia. These enchanted portals provide navigational aids for characters as they traverse tangible environments and encounter the emotional and psychological boundaries of their surroundings. The primary characters, Saeed and Nadia, are thrust into unfamiliar realms of engagement through the entryways, which challenge their discernment and transform their identities. 

Problem Statement

Exit West is a novel that has been analyzed from various perspectives including colonial perspective and magical realism. Although this research provides insights into the utilization of magical realism in Exit West from thematic viewpoints, its main focus is on the significance of the magical doors in the novel which indicate different themes. This literature delves into the intricate depths of meaning concealed within the remarkable voyages of Saeed and Nadia, by thoroughly scrutinizing their experiences and encounters as they traverse these magical doors. There is a sufficient gap in the existing literature which can be filled by addressing the thematic concerns of black magical doors in the novel. Addressing the topic will give us comprehensive insights into the number of interpretations, that black doors offer.




Research Question

1. What are the different themes that can be interpreted through the perspective of black doors in Exit West?




Research Aim and Objectives

1. This research aims to address the themes, related to black doors, in Exit West. For this purpose, textual lines regarding black doors will be subjected to interpretation and various themes will be analysed from them.

Literature Review

Hamid's novels have been popularized due to the diversity of the topics and the postmodern techniques he employs in his writings. Hamid's novel Exit West (2017) is also popularized due to its similar appeal. Academia has already analyzed the works through different perspectives which is the core discussion of this section. A comprehensive review of existing literature is done to narrow done the gap in the existing literature that needs to be filled.

Exit West (2017) has been analyzed through different lenses. Problems of refugees, migration, post-traumatic disorder, and feminist and magical realist perspectives are the major domains covered in this review.  Lots of studies are conducted to identify problems related to migration and refugees in this novel. Perfect (2019) examined the portrayal of refugees in Mohsin Hamid's novel Exit West (2017), which has received significant acclaim for its depiction of the refugee problem in the present time. Findings revealed that Hamid's novel goes beyond being solely focused on refugees, but also serves as a contemplation on the portrayal and influence of refugees and their journeys through the utilization of existing technologies. Similarly, Mir (2018) analyzed how Exit West portrays the challenges faced by refugees in their war-torn nations, with a particular focus on an unidentified city devastated by civil conflict, and found that the refugee problem in recent years has reached a magnitude comparable only to that of World War II. Millions of individuals are currently embarking on challenging trips in order to flee their war-ravaged home nations. The combination of economic volatility and violent conflicts is compelling migrants to travel through a unique and ingenious teleportation mechanism known as black doors to instantaneously transport individuals between various locations. Moreover, Liaqat (2022) examined the use of symbols, metaphors, and narrative techniques in Hamid's text migration has become one of the most relevant concerns in the modern context. In the present time, individuals from various nations are compelled to migrate due to religious, social, cultural, national, racial, and economic factors. Contrastingly, Huma et al. (2023) examined the ideology around migration issues in the novel Exit West by evaluating the linguistic selections. The results indicated that migration is caused by harsh human activities that undermine human existence. 

There are few studies that examined the diaspora in Hamid's Exit West (2017). Ali et al. (2022) investigated the refugee crisis faced by Muslim immigrants in foreign countries. They concluded that foreign nations appear alluring and full of promise, but the realities are completely contrary as realized by Saeed and Nadia when they migrated from one country to another country. The Muslim refugees from Pakistan have numerous challenges in non-Muslim nations due to a collision between civilizations, cultures, ideas, and lifestyles. Javaid et al. (2021) explored Hamid's novel "Exit West" (2017) the positioning of colonial subjects, not just in regard to the Colonizer, but also in relation to each other. They found that the process of cultural decolonization results in the creation of a complex and contradictory space known as the 'Third Space of Enunciation'. Therefore, the colonial identity is constantly changing and experiencing unease because of its several locations, as the concept of home is elusive in the diasporic imagination. This is reinforced by Bellin (2022), who examined how contemporary literature may effectively depict diasporic experiences and redefine the concept of freedom of movement in the twenty-first century, and found that violence generated by the global border system is structural, pervasive, and characterized by racial bias, even though it is evident in specific events, policies, and actions. Individuals residing in developed countries are not directly responsible for border violence, but they do have a specific political obligation for the creation and perpetuation of pain, death, poverty, and discrimination that borders cause and establish. 

Exit West is also analyzed through the lens of psychoanalysis and feminism. Hussain et al. (2020) examined the grievances associated with globalization and post-traumatic stress in relation to the fictional universe depicted in Mohsin Hamid's novel Exit West (2017) and found that the migrant population in our globalized society encounters significant challenges such as xenophobia and hatred. Consequently, they experienced psychological trauma refers to the emotional and psychological distress that can result from experiencing a traumatic incident. Mehmood et al. (2021) analyzed the concepts of fulfillment and freedom within the context of Mohsin Hamid's (2017) novel Exit West, using the theoretical framework of psychological feminism. This study investigates the influence of contentment and freedom on the life of Nadia, one of the central characters in the novel. The focus of the study was on Nadia's separation from her lover Saeed, her personal growth via the experience of freedom, and the key findings that shed light on Nadia's mind. The research examines how these factors influenced the mindset of a girl from childhood. Kayani et al. (2020) analyzed the traditional gender roles in Hamid's Exit West and found that women are represented as independent and conformed in modern society.

Another dimension that has been examined is in the scope of magical realism. Bukhari and Jajja (2021) pointed out how magical realist motifs are identified in the novel, Exit West to underscore the issue of migration that was considered arduous at the time of the novel's release and asserted that through the incorporation of the fantastical, Hamid has effectively made the displaced individuals' plight more known to the international community who have been barred from numerous large cities across the world. Significant wheels and interactions of characters with the magical doors are discussed by Faiz et al. (2023) They pointed out that the doors and interactions make the characters more aware of themselves and contribute to the formation of characters' identities. Subsequently, they managed to identify the fact that they played a great part in creating the processes of the main characters' experiences, more concretely Saeed and Nadia's transformation. Babo and Hamad (2020) have described global migration and refugee crises as one of the major issues that the contemporary world is facing. Such migration is becoming possible through the use of enchanted portals that allow for the transference of people over a while to any part of the world. They discovered that visually, Exit West represents an enchanted portals that mean that there is no division of borders thus the world had come to embrace the concepts of free mobility as part of the universal human right. Through his literary work, Hamid gives a true picture of the modern immigrant story in a world shackled by conflicts. Hassan (2023) analyzed magical doors and said that they are a representation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He identified that the incorporation of technology and symbolism in today's literature period has brought out different chances of telling the adventures. It can be said that this integration within the overall tone of the narrative is highly effective and goes beyond the standard, thus enabling the reader to join the present day's digital world. The symbolism of magical doors is used to portray tangible passages that are used to access different parts of the world. These doors also imply changes and are connected to the part played by artificial intelligence. These doors also represent the general ideas connected with migration such as hope, risk, and transformation. Hameed et al. (2024) analyzed the topic of migration in the novel and focused on the importance of the topic within the context of postmodernism. The article relied on a theoretical approach of magical realism to evaluate the given text. The results of the study conclude that migration is no longer an exclusive event that prevails in the postmodern world for the reason of pluralism, cultural diversity, and Cosmopolitanism. Ismail and Alhaisony (2024) explored the complicate that emerged from the colonial past and current state affairs defined by multiculturalism war on terror and fragmented identity migration and immigration and the focus was made on the realistic aspects of photograph and the modern concern evoked in Mohsin Hamid's novel "Exit West ". The use of photographic realism was a theoretical lens. He only pointed out that magical doors are a literary device like photographic realism and it appeared that the latter functioned in an attempt to represent the frailty of geopolitical organizations and deconstruct the binaries.

Research Methodology

The research stands on the constructivist paradigm as defined by Mertens (2019) in the words “knowledge is socially constructed by people active in the research process, and that researchers should attempt to understand the complex world of lived experience from the point of view of those who live it” (Schwandt, 2000 qt in Mertens, 2019). The qualitative research approach serves as the foundation for this investigation. Qualitative research is an empirical method that does not depend on numerical data, according to Kothari (2004). It is a systematic process for distinguishing different kinds of difficulties. While the researchers use a naturalistic approach to investigate phenomena in real-world settings, qualitative research includes observation, visual materials, human experiences, and the investigation of difficult issues. Therefore, using a qualitative approach, the researcher examined the imagery and symbolic meaning of the magical doors in relation to various themes. This is done using the purposive sampling technique, Denscombe (2021) explains that purposive sampling entails the purposeful selection of particular individuals or aspects to be included in the research sample. This is how the textual lines are sampled for purpose. The phrase refers to situations where the researcher purposefully selects particular people or events because they are expected to produce the most meaningful findings, having prior knowledge of such people or events. In essence, these people or events are chosen with a purpose that is consistent with their unique qualities and importance to the topic of the investigation (Denscombe, 2021, p. 17).

Theoretical Framework

In order to examine themes related to magical doors, the current study adopted magical realism as its analytical framework. The philosophy of magical realism challenges conventional wisdom and challenges readers to consider their own perceptions of reality. In addition to offering insights into commonplace interactions, emotions, and the intricacies of the world, it crafts a singular narrative setting where the magical and the real coexist. The magical realism philosophy embraces the extraordinary inside the ordinary and takes a closer look at social and human aspects in literature. The simultaneous existence of magical and real aspects is portrayed in this study to examine the use of magical realism. Like any modern science fiction or traditional yet mythical narrative, the doors are exploited as a means of achieving magical realism. Magical doors symbolize travel and give Hamid's made-up world a hint of magic and allegory. These doors seem to be the means of connecting various regions of the earth. Two main characters in Hamid's book Exit West, Nadia, and Saeed, go through doors to explore new areas. The surroundings usually give the reader the impression that these doors are magical, even though Hamid doesn't say it outright. 

Data Analysis

Uncertainty and Danger- Concept of Racism

The first theme that we can unveil from these black magical doors is the theme of uncertainty and the danger it poses with it. There are two incidents that make this theme visible. The first event is the vignette when a dark man appears in the bedroom of an Australian woman and the second event is when two Filipinos appear in a club in Tokyo. The first moment was "The closet door was ajar. The room was illuminated by the light emitted from her computer charger and wireless router, while the closet doorway remained devoid of light, appearing darker than the night itself, forming a rectangular area of absolute darkness - the epitome of gloom. A figure was rising from the darkness" (Exit West, 2017). At this moment, the darkness of the door itself signifies the danger both for the woman sleeping and for the migrant coming through the closet. The second moment is when the Filipinos appear in a club in Tokyo in the way described here, "At present, there were two young Filipina girls, likely in their late teens and possibly not yet twenty years old, positioned next to an unused door located at the back of the bar. This door is typically locked, but at this particular moment, it is mysteriously ajar, revealing a pitch-black opening. It appears as if there is no illumination inside and almost as if light is unable to permeate through" (Exit West, 2017). It's evident that doors can open anywhere. Even the doors which remain unused can be opened which signifies uncertainty associated with it. Moreover, these girls were followed by a young man who witnessed them appearing. "And slipped into a walk behind them, fingering the metal in his pocket as he went" (Exit West, 2017). This shows the danger to the lives of the girl who appeared uncertainly at some club in Tokyo. This uncertainty becomes evident when Hamid says, "One's relationship to windows now changed in the city" (Exit West, 2017). As we have already seen two doors became the portals that transported three people from different countries to other countries at random places, this shows the transformative role of ordinary windows and doors to portals. Moreover, this transformation is further explained as "The impact that doors had on individuals also changed. Speculations had started to spread about the existence of portals that might transport individuals to distant locations, far apart from this perilous nation. Certain individuals asserted that they were acquainted with individuals who were acquainted with individuals who had experienced such doors. According to them, an ordinary door has the potential to transform into an extraordinary door, and this transformation might occur unexpectedly, affecting any door" (Exit West, 2017). This theme of uncertainty and danger prevails throughout the novel apart from the events mentioned with regard to black doors.




Aspirations of Third World Countries People - Borders, Migration and Transformations

Third world countries people just like Saeed and Nadia aspire to cross the boundaries to the developed countries where peace prevails as compared to their native countries. Hamid described it beautifully, “All of their doors maintained a simplistic nature, functioning as binary switches that could only be in one of two states: open or closed. However, when viewed through a lens of irrational potential, each door also possessed a partial animation, becoming an object with a subtle ability to ridicule and taunt the aspirations of those longing to venture far away. Silently, from its door frame, it would whisper that such dreams were nothing but the foolish fantasies of individuals" (Exit West, 2017). These doors are not only doors. These are the desires of the migrants to pass through them, to enter the world they offer where peace, happiness, and prosperity prevail. At first, when they pass the door, they meet the group after passing through the black door, " In this group, all individuals were of foreign origin, hence, in a certain sense, none of them were considered native. Nadia and Saeed promptly identified a group of compatriots and discovered that they were situated on the Greek island of Mykonos" (Exit West, 2017). They live there for a sufficient time but feel the need to go better place. But whatever we desire is usually difficult to achieve and has several challenges to the possibility. The same is the case with the doors. Usually, the doors to first-world countries are more guarded than those of other countries. "The doors to richer destinations were heavily fortified, while the entrances from less affluent areas were largely unsecured, possibly in the expectation that individuals would return to their place of origin, although this rarely occurred, or perhaps due to the sheer number of entrances from numerous less privileged areas, making it impractical to secure them all" (Exit West, 2017). This security maintained by first-world countries becomes evident when "Saeed and Nadia became aware of a rumor about the discovery of a new exit, a door leading to Germany. They decided to join the crowd and quickly moved towards the front. As they approached, they noticed a group of guys in uniform obstructing their path" (Exit West, 2017). But the desires of the poor countries people are never-ending and they keep striving to go off to better places and succeed in their attempt when "Nadia's newfound acquaintance proved to be reliable, as she promptly transported both Nadia and Saeed on her scooter early in the morning, swiftly navigating the serene streets to a house situated on a hill with a courtyard. They hurriedly entered and discovered a door. The girl expressed her well wishes to them, while they found themselves in a bedroom with a vantage point of the night sky and luxurious furnishings that were of high quality and costly, leading Saeed and Nadia to believe they were in a hotel. Following their initial confusion about their whereabouts, they decided to use a television as a means to determine their whereabouts. It quickly became evident to them that they were in London" (Exit West, 2017).  After living a sufficient time here with the groups of their interests, they finally decided to go to a better place through the door in the hope of reconciliation. " When she unexpectedly proposed one day, amidst the constant presence of surveillance technology that recorded and stored their every move, that they leave their current location and forfeit their place on the housing list to move to the nearby city of Marin, situated on the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco, he did not object or resist as she anticipated. Instead, he agreed, and both of them were filled with optimism, hoping that this move would reignite their relationship" (Exit West, 2017). In all three events, we have seen them escaping to the developed countries from their war-torn city and in each country, they desire better and better choices for escape. But this concept of escape is not confined to the people of third-world countries people and becomes evident in the next theme.




Escapism - Travel to a World of Peace

These black magical doors where serve as symbols of the desire of poor country people also signify a way of escape for everyone dissatisfied with the circumstances. This becomes clear when "An accountant in Kentish Town who had been on the verge of taking his own life woke one morning to discover the blackness of a door where the bright entrance to his small but well-lit second bedroom" (Exit West, 2017). He was planning to commit suicide but he dared to pass the door negating the possibility of death and that it wouldn't be a big deal if he died by passing the door as he was already intending to commit suicide. "Contemplating the idea, the accountant decided to venture through the door to explore the unknown" (Exit West, 2017). This journey has brought something miraculous in the accountant's life as he returned back to life from death as described by Hamid, "Later, his daughter and his closest companion would receive a photograph of him on a treeless, arid seaside in Namibia, characterized by towering dunes. Accompanying the image was a message informing them that he would not be coming back, but urging them not to be concerned. He expressed a newfound sense of emotion and invited them to join him, expressing his happiness if they decided to do so. Furthermore, he mentioned that a door could be located in his apartment should they choose to embark on this journey. Subsequently, he departed and his connection to London ceased to exist. The duration of his stay in Namibia was uncertain for those who were previously acquainted with him" (Exit West, 2017). Where the transformation described in the case of Nadia and Saeed tore their relationship, the accountant's transformation stands opposite to it as he started living a happy life by moving from a first-world country to a third-world country.




Reuniting People Across the Globe- An Emotive Role

These black magical doors also serve the purpose of reuniting the departed people. "For others too, the doors came as a release" (Exit West, 2017). There are two vignettes in the novel that explain the function of magical doors. In the first vignette, a mother comes to bring her daughter from the orphanage. "From a dark entrance in a nearby cantina, which was an unusual location for a young woman of her kind to be present, a young woman was emerging. She found another young woman, or more accurately, a mature girl, and embraced her. The young woman recognized her solely from electronic displays, such as phone and computer screens, as it had been many years since they last met. The girl hugged her mother and then became bashful" (Exit West, 2017), and this meeting helps her to bring her daughter with her through the door as "Subsequently, the mother and daughter proceeded to the cantina, where the proprietor granted them entry, indicating disapproval with a head shake but also displaying a smile that caused his mustache to curve and momentarily transformed his stern countenance into a somewhat comical one. Following this, the mother and daughter departed" (Exit West, 2017). In the second vignette, a daughter comes to bring her mother who is a maid in the prince's house. "Despite her daughter also having entered the premises, she made regular visits and insisted that the maid accompany her. However, the maid declined, as she possessed an awareness of the delicate nature of circumstances. Even now, she contemplates the possibility of her departure someday. But not today" (Exit West, 2017). 




Islamophobic and Xenophobic Tendencies

There are events in the novel that are concerned with these tendencies resulting from the black doors. There are two vignettes in the novel. In the first vignette, an old retired army officer in the US asks the guards on black doors about the identity of the people who are trying to cross people and is a sceptic of their identity as Muslims. "The old man inquired the officer about the identity of the individuals who had been passing through, expressing uncertainty whether they were Mexicans or Muslims. The officer responded by stating that he couldn't answer" (Exit West, 2017). These remarks hint at the Islamophobic view of white men. Similarly in another vignette, militants came through black doors attacked natives in Vienna, and evoked a response from xenophobic mobs. There the response of the xenophobic mob to their own woman who tried to save migrants shows how badly they hate migrants and associate their identity with militants. Both events are implicit indications of Islamophobic and Xenophobic tendencies expressed in the novel.

References

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