ECHOES OF BAKHTIN: NAVIGATING STYLISTICS MARVELS IN MOHSIN HAMID’S THE LAST WHITE MAN

Abstract

This paper examines Mohsin Hamid’s novel “The Last White Man” through the lens of Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of polyphony, focusing on the stylistic construction of diverse voices and perspectives within the narrative. Drawing on stylistic analysis methods, the study argues that the novel achieves a wide-ranging social harmony despite the superficial racial transformations experienced by individual characters. By granting each character a distinct voice and viewpoint, Hamid transcends a singular authorial vision and embraces the polyphonic nature of the novel as a genre. This approach aligns with Bakhtin’s celebration of the novel’s capacity to accommodate multiple viewpoints and generate diverse interpretations. Through its stylistic analysis, the paper ultimately demonstrates how “The Last White Man” achieves a complex tapestry of perspectives, culminating in a nuanced exploration of social harmony in the face of individual transformation.