The intention of this essay is to give one important literary reflection of how female Muslim existence is presented in the contemporary English speaking novel. The choice to concentrate on a female Muslim author results from the fact that (female) Muslim writing at the moment represents one of the strongest and most influential movements of writers coming from an Islamic background. It is novelists like Bapsi Sidhwa, Qaisra Sharaz, Umera Ahmad, Kamila Shamsie, Sara Suleri or Monica Ali who have shown in their writings that most publications of female writers seem to present their characters in a more convincing and more multiple way than their male counterparts.
The structure of this essay is as follows. The beginning will consist of some sort of background information which will cover fields all of which will help to understand the background these writers (and their characters) come from. This literary analysis therefore starts with a (critical) reflection of Muslim writing. This will then be followed by an excursion on the concept of hybridity under an Islamic focus because female hyprid existence in the West is the central parameter chosen here.
This essay will be followed by a closer analysis of Fadia Faquir's novel My name is Salma (2007) in order to give an example of female Muslim existence in the West and in the East. It is exactly this span of two opposing worlds which finally brings about the main character's failure and death.
The end of this essay then will result in some sort of outlook where female Muslim writing might head to.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Muslim Writing - A Survey
- Contemporary Muslim Writing
- Contemporary British Literature and the Role of Muslim Writing
- Postcolonial Writing and the Position of Muslim Writers
- Hybrid Description and Hybrid Identity under the Focus of Islam and Islamic Fundamentalism
- The Central Parameter for an Interpretation - the Hybrid
- Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the portrayal of female Muslim characters in contemporary English-language novels, specifically focusing on the concept of hybridity. The essay aims to understand how female Muslim writers navigate the complexities of cultural and religious identities within Western societies.
- Contemporary Muslim Writing
- Hybrid Identity and its manifestation in the West
- The portrayal of female Muslim characters in literature
- The role of Islam and Islamic Fundamentalism in shaping identity
- The challenges and complexities of female Muslim existence in both Eastern and Western contexts
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by providing a survey of contemporary Muslim writing, examining its significance within the broader landscape of English literature, particularly in a postcolonial context. This section explores the unique perspectives and challenges faced by Muslim writers, highlighting their contributions to contemporary literature. The second part delves into the concept of hybridity as it relates to Islam and Islamic fundamentalism, exploring the tensions and complexities that arise when individuals navigate multiple cultural and religious identities.
The third chapter analyzes Fadia Faquir's novel "My name is Salma" to illustrate the experiences of female Muslim characters in both Eastern and Western settings. The chapter focuses on how the protagonist's hybrid existence ultimately leads to her downfall.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this essay include contemporary Muslim writing, hybrid identity, female Muslim characters, Islam, Islamic fundamentalism, postcolonialism, and the complexities of navigating cultural and religious identities in both Eastern and Western contexts.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Matthias Dickert (Author), 2016, Female Muslim Characters and the Lure of the Hybrid. "My name is Salma" by Fadia Faquir, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313619
