The key position of Muslim writers in the contemporary English speaking novel is undoubted.
Muslim writing itself is a logical consequence of postcolonial writing which has been marked by Carribean, African and Muslim authors at the same time.
Whereas Carribean writers focus on concepts such as nation or nationalism,.Black writers seem to reflect a notion which is widely understood by 'cultural memory'.
Muslim writing on its behalf centers on the catchphrase 'identity' since it considers Islam as a perfect identity marker for the novel.
This (Muslim) 'otherness' is rooted in a religion which has
for too long been looked upon from Said's concept of 'otherness' which is based on Foucault's notion of 'power and knowledge'. lt is here where the dualistic concept of East
and West is constructed which sees both sides as antagonistic spheres.
lt also in this background where author and reader finally have to discuss this Muslim 'otherness' apart from their minds.
lt is therefore this (religious) 'otherness' based on religion which makes it extremely difficult for Western readers to fully understand Muslim characters. This is due to the fact that Islam is not only a religious idea of the world, it is also a total concept of Muslim existence since it covers all spheres of Muslim existence, the religious, the social, the legal and the political. The intention of this essay therefore is to give a short survey of Muslim writing over the last 30 years. The aim is to shortly reflect the incorporation of Islam into the novel , a development which has been marked by Nünning/Nünning with the term 'cross-fertilization' thus refering to the close link between narration and religion.
The focus of the chosen novels hoowever lies on 'identity', a term marked by the concept of modern man being a migrant or a nomad, thus also reflecting the consequences of migration waves and the phenomenon of globalization.
The paper starts with a sociological and religious background before it shortly deals with "The Satanic Verses", "The Black Album", "Brick Lane", "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" and
"Guantanamo Boy".
The aim ist o give a short survey oft he question of Muslim identity during the last 30 years.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Sociological background
- Migration to England
- England's development into a multicultural society from the Muslim point of view
- Religious Background
- Religious Fundamentalism
- 9/11
- British Fundamentalism
- The modern English Novel
- Islam and Fundamentalism in British Fiction
- Preface: Novels
- Literary Parameters
- The purpose of life
- Failure
- Powerlessness
- Hybridity and literature under the focus of Islam
- Preface Novels
- Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses
- Structure of 'The Satanic Verses'
- Hanif Kureishi - The Black Album (1995)
- Hamid Mohsin The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007)
- Monica Ali - Brick Lane (2003)
- Anna Perera Guantanamo Boy (2009)
- Outlook
Objectives and Key Themes
This reader aims to explore the literary reflections of English writers with a Muslim background, focusing on the diverse portrayal of their main characters. It examines how modern literature influenced by these writers can be understood through the historical, political, and social backdrop that shaped modern Britain during periods of migration and globalization. The text delves into the complexities of Muslim identity in a Western context, particularly in light of Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" theory.
- The impact of migration and globalization on modern British society and literature.
- The complexities of Muslim identity and its representation in contemporary British fiction.
- The role of religious fundamentalism and its influence on the portrayal of Islam in literature.
- The intersection of politics, culture, and religion in shaping the experiences of Muslim writers and their characters.
- The evolving nature of Islam in the West and its reflection in the works of contemporary British authors.
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: Introduces the reader's focus on English writers with a Muslim background and the multifaceted reflection of their characters in modern literature. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical, political, and social context of migration and globalization in shaping modern Britain. The chapter also addresses the significance of religion, especially in a foreign environment where it is challenged, and how Muslim identity is intertwined with contemporary issues such as Huntington's "Clash of Civilization" idea.
- Religious Background: Explores the concept of religious fundamentalism as a significant force in contemporary society, particularly in the context of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent rise of radical Muslim ideologies. It examines the impact of Islamic fundamentalism on the perception of Islam in the West and the role of religion as an identity marker for Muslims.
- The Modern English Novel: Provides a general overview of the modern English novel, setting the stage for the analysis of contemporary British fiction with a Muslim perspective.
- Islam and Fundamentalism in British Fiction: Examines the portrayal of Islam and fundamentalism in contemporary British literature, highlighting key themes and concerns that arise from this intersection. It explores how Muslim writers use religion to characterize their characters and analyze the complexities of Islam in the modern world.
- Preface: Novels: Introduces a series of chapters devoted to specific novels, focusing on the literary parameters, themes, and characters that are relevant to the overall study. It explores themes such as the purpose of life, failure, powerlessness, and the hybridity of identity within a Muslim context.
- Preface Novels: This section features individual chapters that delve into specific novels by various authors, providing detailed analyses of their content, themes, and literary techniques. These chapters offer insightful discussions of the following works:
- Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses: Examines Rushdie's controversial novel and its exploration of identity, faith, and the clash between East and West. It analyzes the book's structure and its representation of Islamic themes.
- Hanif Kureishi - The Black Album (1995): Explores Kureishi's novel and its portrayal of Muslim identity in a multicultural Britain. It examines themes of cultural assimilation, political activism, and the complexities of belonging.
- Hamid Mohsin The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007): Analyzes Mohsin's novel and its exploration of the experiences of a Pakistani-American man navigating a post-9/11 world. It examines themes of identity, alienation, and the impact of political events on personal lives.
- Monica Ali - Brick Lane (2003): Examines Ali's novel and its portrayal of the lives of Bangladeshi immigrants in London. It focuses on themes of gender, family, and the challenges of navigating cultural differences.
- Anna Perera Guantanamo Boy (2009): Explores Perera's novel and its exploration of the experiences of a young man imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. It examines themes of justice, human rights, and the impact of political power on individual lives.
Keywords
This reader focuses on the intersection of Islamic themes, migration, globalization, and cultural identity in contemporary British literature. It explores the experiences of Muslim writers and their characters within a complex social and political landscape. Key terms and concepts include: Muslim identity, religious fundamentalism, cultural hybridity, multiculturalism, postcolonialism, globalization, migration, and literary representation.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Dickert (Author), 2015, Islam and its Reflection in Contemporary British Literature. A Course Book, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/299139
