Perspectives on Religion in the Works of Salman Rushdie (original) (raw)

This paper explores the complexities of religion as depicted in the works of Salman Rushdie, particularly in relation to his personal atheism and the significant impact of The Satanic Verses and the subsequent Fatwa on his literary reputation. By analyzing Rushdie's motivations and thematic focuses, including migration and identity, the study aims to uncover how his novels interact with religious themes and whether they serve as a critique of organized religion or propose alternative spiritual understandings. The analysis pays special attention to the evolution of Rushdie's perspectives on religion in his works leading up to and following the Fatwa, culminating in an examination of Shalimar the Clown as representative of his more recent views.