The aim of my thesis is to give a detailed, broad analysis about the novel. In particular I try to focus on mimicry. I study the causes, the forms of mimicry and examine why the protagonist (Ralph Singh) fails at the end of the novel. I use and compare different postcolonial theories and analysis and look at the topic from different perspectives. This is why I also use Salman Rushdie’s famous novel entitled as The Satanic Verses. My thesis does not split into chapters; however it consists of three main parts. I start with an introductory part and I give an overview about Naipaul’s life and career, the novel in general, some terms of postcolonial theory (including mimicry) and the causes of Ralph’s mimicry. Then I go through the different scenes of Ralph’s life: his childhood in Isabella, his London stay, his return to Isabella and finally his exile to England. I am interested how mimicry appears in his life. At last I compare Ralph and Saladin (one of the protagonists of The Satanic Verses) and I show why Saladin survives and why Ralph chooses the passive way of life and why he fails. I highlight those characteristics and moments which result in Ralph’s failure.