Magical Doors in Exit West: Threshold of Transformation of Major Characters

Abstract

This study examines the transformative role played by magic doors in the fictional work, Exit West by Hamid. It illustrates how the doors play a crucial role in the development of the major characters, in particular, the development of Saeed and Nadia, as the protagonists of the novel. This current investigation explores the ways in which the characters' encounters with these doors shape their self-awareness and contribute to the transformation of their personalities. By employing a qualitative research approach and purposive sampling technique, the chosen extracts from the text are subjected to close text-based examination to analyze the narrative and symbolic elements of the magical doors. The study delves into the characters' relationships with these doors to demonstrate the tremendous effects they have on Saeed and Nadia, both independently and united. By examining these perspectives, this analysis hopes to give a more profound understanding of the meaning of magical doors in the novel and their impact on the characters' journeys providing scholarly insights into the significance of magic realism in fiction and also delving into the broader social implications contained in Exit West.