An Eriksonian Reading of The Body by Hanif Kureishi: Integrity Versus Despair

The ageing body and old age issues are among the prominent concerns of Western civilization throughout 21st century. body, as new raw material consumer society, is perceived something that can be changed a result medical developments even bought sold like other commodities. Furthering cause this transformations Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory which evokes quintessence social pressure on elder people may help to receive complexity issue. In his theory, Erikson posits eight stages development with specific tasks crisis peculiar each stage life span. This paper represents an attempt examine Hanif Kureishi’s Body novella within framework Eriksonian human development. Admittedly, short fiction appears in main dealt ethnicity identity matters render postcolonial approach. Yet, study significant it deals pressures becoming increasingly severe against people, ageing, points out last Erikson, integrity vs. despair. It also reveals past experiences personal desires affect someone’s psyche. Through Body, tie between society individual, realities, appearance internal existence have been affirmed. concluded when evaluated accuracy effects socio-cultural factors personality has determined.