Examining Issues of Racial Perception and White Supremacy in Mohsin Hamid’s The Last White Man using a Critical Race Theory Perspective

Abstract

This study analyses Critical Race Theory in the context of Mohsin Hamid’s 2022 novel, The Last White Man, with particular emphasis on the theoretical construct of White Fragility as articulated by Robin Diangelo (2018). White Fragility demonstrates how black people face racial discrimination while white people protect themselves when people talk about skin colour. A textual analysis method has been been applied through this research work. The main research purpose investigates why white people oppress black people. The study investigates how white people consider themselves better than black people while white people receive unfair benefits in different situations and how their racial identity makes them feel safe. The results show that The Last White Man characters’ experience oppression through social systems which maintain racial power differences. The widespread distribution of racial advantages to white people in different situations creates significant challenges. White people tend to feel more secure because of their racial identity which leads to dangerous situations. Research findings from The Last White Man indicate that characters of colour are subjected to oppression by white individuals. The narrative particularly highlights the struggles faced by the protagonist, Anders, who encounters numerous obstacles throughout his life. The difficulties he experiences with his family relationships lead to a heart breaking scene in which his mother turns away from him. The analysis shows that society exists as a system which establishes white individuals as superior while designating black people as inferior.