The Contagious Impact of Unemployment: A Psychosocial Examen of Mohsin Hamid's Moth Smoke

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of unemployment on Hamid's novel "Moth Smoke," specifically focusing on how it affects the protagonist's psychological well-being and life. The analysis draws on the Social Impact Theory, which elucidates how others shape an individual's mental perceptions and subsequently influence their social interactions. Unemployment leads to various societal pressures, instigates anxiety, and generates a sense of unease, which detrimentally influences the individual's ability to make sound decisions. Moreover, the connection between low socioeconomic status and deteriorating mental health is well-established, resulting in financial turmoil, diminished self-esteem, and a downward shift in social standing. The study underscores the adverse ramifications of unemployment on Pakistani youth, encompassing a range of issues such as lawlessness, criminal activities, burglaries, homicides, depression, compromised self-esteem, involvement in illicit drug trade, moral decline, stress, and an upsurge in sexual proclivities. This portrayal sheds light on the somber repercussions of unemployment on the younger generation within Pakistani society. Consequently, the main objective of this research is to spotlight the pervasive issue of unemployment globally, as well as the severe aftermath it engenders, including increased lawlessness, transgressions, criminal activities, depression, diminished self-esteem, illicit drug trade, moral decay, stress, and heightened sexual interests.