Issued in 1990 Hanif Kureishi´s novel The Buddha of Suburbia has become a world-acclaimed masterpiece ever since. It´s protagonist, Karim, takes the reader on his riveting journey to discover and explain life of the seventies in and around London. The author masterfully depicts the multiple cultural facets this time had to offer and creates a plot replete with stories of ethnicity, class and gender. However, one element seems to be of peculiar importance in its reoccurring implementation within the story – music. This paper is intended to examine the element of music and attempts to determine the role it plays within the world Kureishi illustrates.
In order to fully grasp the element of music within the book it will be necessary to have a wider look on the phenomenon first. How can music in a most general sense be described and what makes it such a meaningful subject matter for scientists of linguistics, philosophy and anthropology? In a second step the paper will try to find reasons why Kureishi might have decided to use this motif at such length and what messages he tries to bring across.
However, the major part of the paper will, of course, be dealing with the novel: What are the major themes that are related to music? In how far is music affiliated with the broad spectrum of culture that Kureishi draws in his book? What subcultures can be detected and to what extent are they influenced by music? The single most intriguing aspect connected to this issue is the character of Charlie. That is why his odyssey through a life so profoundly determined by music will be especially focused on. What effect does music have on the decade of his life pictured in the novel? What stages does he go through and what does the author provide the reader with in order to interpret Charlie´s decisions, the development of his character, and his final state at the end of the book.
Although The Buddha of Suburbia will be the main source of the investigation, the articles of Bart Moor-Gilbert and Sussane Reichl, which discuss Kureishi´s novel, will be consulted, too. Moreover, various monographies and papers dealing with the issue of music and culture will also be substantial to the examination
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Semantics of Music
- Pop Music and Hanif Kureishi
- Cultures, Subcultures and Music
- Charlie, Music and the Quest for Self-Fulfilment
- Summary
- Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to examine the role of music in Hanif Kureishi's novel "The Buddha of Suburbia," analyzing how it functions as a cultural and personal element within the narrative. It explores the broader significance of music as a cultural phenomenon and its impact on the protagonist, Charlie, and his journey of self-discovery.
- The semantic significance of music beyond language
- Music as a cultural marker and its connection to subcultures
- The influence of music on individual identity and self-expression
- The relationship between music and social change
- The role of music in shaping narratives and characters
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the novel "The Buddha of Suburbia" by Hanif Kureishi and its main themes, particularly focusing on the role of music within the narrative. It outlines the paper's objectives and methodology.
- The Semantics of Music: This chapter delves into the broader context of music as a cultural phenomenon. It explores how music "speaks" beyond language, its ability to evoke emotions and meanings, and its impact on various aspects of human experience.
- Pop Music and Hanif Kureishi: This chapter focuses on the specific use of pop music in Kureishi's novel. It examines how pop music reflects and shapes the cultural landscape of the 1970s in London, particularly exploring its relationship to subcultures and social change.
- Cultures, Subcultures and Music: This chapter investigates the connection between music and subcultures in the novel. It analyzes how music serves as a marker of identity and belonging for various social groups within the narrative.
- Charlie, Music and the Quest for Self-Fulfilment: This chapter examines the character of Charlie and how music plays a pivotal role in his personal journey. It explores how music influences his development, decisions, and ultimate state at the end of the novel.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the paper are: music, culture, subculture, identity, self-expression, narrative, character, Hanif Kureishi, The Buddha of Suburbia, 1970s London, pop music, semantic meaning.
- Quote paper
- Toni Friedrich (Author), 2011, The Experience of Music in "The Buddha of Suburbia" , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/184615
