Alif the Unseen

Alif is the novel’s protagonist and the character through which the variations of seen and unseen are explored. Alif has taken the first letter of the Arabic alphabet as his internet handle and ultimately his name. As Alif, he is unseen, “a straight line, a wall” (10), hence the title of the book.

Alif spends the first half of the book afraid, though he doesn’t realize it. His decision to hide behind his computer and fight against the government as an anonymous gray hat hacker symbolizes his inability and unwillingness to take the fight into the real (seen) world. Alif’s relationship with Intisar is fear-based, as well. He wishes to be more like Intisar, and he uses her to ignore his fears about being poor and of mixed heritage. When the Hand hacks his computer, Alif must enter the real (seen) world. His tendency to gravitate toward computers, such as when he first meets the convert, shows his fearful desire to return to anonymity. Alif forces himself to interact in the real world to keep himself and Dina safe.

Alif’s greatest realization comes in prison, when he recognizes his body is better than any computer.