Colin Hayes

EN.387.01

Dr. Juniper Ellis

13 March 2018

Of Windows and Doors in Relation to Ready Player One

Of Windows and Doors by Mohsin Hamid presents the story of Nadia and Saeed and their existence within a war-torn unnamed location. The evidence presented by Hamid calls to mind contemporary references to places that are suffering in this same way, such as Syria. Interestingly, Hamid is able to interweave a mystical vibe by presenting the doors in a specific light. The mystical nature of these doors shows that on the opposite side lies the unknown, but this unknown presents opportunities and even hope, something that is essential to the lives of Nadia and Saeed because of their circumstances.

Much like Saeed and Nadia, Wade in Ready Player One lives in a world that is characterized by destruction and the dystopic environment in which he exists. Similar to the doors in Hamid’s story, The OASIS provides a magical escape and delivers hope to people like Wade. It is important to note the idea of hope in both these tales in which the characters are plagued by unfortunate circumstances that hinder their progress and prevent a life of happiness and opportunity from arising. All the characters in both of these stories cling to this notion of hope because it is what continues to drive them and push them to move forward, despite the unfortunate turn that their lives have taken.