Overcoming Fate. Nazneen's Bildung in Brick Lane

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2013 , 14 Pages , Grade: 2,7

Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works

This essay examines Nazneen's transformation in the course of Monica Ali's Brick Lane. It analyses how Nazneen changes into an independent woman by overcoming her belief that fate determines her life and focuses on how the people around her contribute to her transformation of character.
First I will select characteristics of the female Bildungsroman which are relevant for Brick Lane and Nazneen's development throughout the novel. I will pick up those characteristics in the course of the essay and apply them to Brick Lane. To understand where Nazneen's belief comes from I will take a closer look at the story of How She Was Left To Her Fate and therefore the origin of fate and the role of women in Islam. After that I will concentrate on different factors for Nazneen's transformation, how the people she interacts with contribute to her change, and take a closer look at crucial scenes from Brick Lane. Finally, I will take a look at how a transformed Nazneen stands up for herself and becomes her own person.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Overcoming Fate: Nazneen's Challenge
• Nazneen's Transformation into an Independent Woman in Brick Lane
  • The Female Bildungsroman
  • The Origin of Nazneen's Belief in Fate
  • Factors Promoting Nazneen's Bildung in Brick Lane
  • Nazneen Finding Her Own Voice
• Overcoming Fate: Nazneen's Journey of Self-Realization

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines Nazneen's transformation in Monica Ali's novel *Brick Lane*. It focuses on how Nazneen challenges the predetermined role of fate in her life and explores the factors contributing to her self-discovery and transformation into an independent woman.

• The female Bildungsroman and its application to Nazneen's journey.
• The role of fate and its origins in Islamic beliefs.
• The impact of societal norms and expectations on Nazneen's identity.
• The influence of key relationships and interactions on Nazneen's personal development.
• Nazneen's journey of self-realization and her emergence as an independent woman.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Overcoming Fate: Nazneen's Challenge: This chapter introduces the essay's focus on Nazneen's transformation and the theme of overcoming predetermined fate. It highlights the use of the female Bildungsroman framework to analyze Nazneen's development.
• Nazneen's Transformation into an Independent Woman in Brick Lane: This section explores the concept of the female Bildungsroman and its application to Nazneen's journey. It discusses how Nazneen's quest for identity is intertwined with spatial and social growth.
• The Female Bildungsroman: This chapter delves into the characteristics of the female Bildungsroman, including the motives of travel, quest, and social integration. It analyzes how these elements are manifested in Nazneen's development in *Brick Lane*.
• The Origin of Nazneen's Belief in Fate: This chapter examines the origins of Nazneen's belief in fate, drawing from the story of *How She Was Left To Her Fate* and the role of fate in Islamic culture. It explores the impact of her mother's teachings and the societal expectations placed upon women.
• Factors Promoting Nazneen's Bildung in Brick Lane: This chapter analyzes the factors that contribute to Nazneen's transformation, highlighting the role of her environment, personal encounters, and her struggles with isolation and cultural barriers.
• Nazneen Finding Her Own Voice: This chapter delves into Nazneen's journey of self-discovery and her struggle to break free from societal constraints. It explores her efforts to assert her independence and find her own voice.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key themes and concepts explored in this essay revolve around the female Bildungsroman, fate versus free will, gender roles in Islamic society, cultural adaptation, and self-realization. The analysis focuses on Nazneen's journey of transformation, highlighting her struggles with isolation, her encounters with societal expectations, and her ultimately empowering quest for identity and self-expression.

• College: University of Bamberg (Department for English Literature)
• Course: Writing India and the Indian Diaspora in the 21st Century
• Grade: 2,7
• Author: Alana Speer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 14
• Catalog Number: V281196
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656746454
• ISBN (Book): 9783656746416
• Language: English
• Tags: Brick Lane, Monica Ali, Nazneen, Fate, Bildung, Emancipation, Identity, Islam, London, Beliefs, English Literature, India, Immigration, Female, Women