Tracing the Predicament of Refugees in Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West

Abstract

A refugee is a person who is forced to leave his or her home country due to war, violence or persecution and seeks safety by crossing public borders, with no intention of returning home. The number of refugees has increased due to major crises around the world as the conflict in Syria, Afghanistan and South Sudan, etc. In Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West, the impact of refugees is explored, with a focus on the challenges of exile such as language barriers, racism, financial difficulties and ongoing health of a young couple, Saeed and Nadia, as they flee their country due to civil war and start a new life through magic doors. The major themes in the novel are refugees, migration and terrorism. The advantages of refugees include economic growth, new ideas and artistic imandpact, but it also brings social, economical, political problems. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid is a book that sheds insight on the current global refugee issues. The book was released in the year of 2017.