Since 9/11 many Muslims struggle with their identity and are exposed to xenophobia, violence, vicious defamation, harassment or displacement. In short the notion 'Muslim' in relation to that day has become a stigma. It is against this background and the post-traumatic aftermath of September 11, 2001 where many novelists disposing of a Muslim background wrote their novels. The logical consequence from this was that Muslim writing as such has become more complex stressing the standpoints of hearer and teller as elements of distortion. Interesting though is the fact that some novels dealing with Islam and Muslim characters have taken up and used the Oriental stereotypes where Muslims are - according to Said - seen as 'either oil suppliers or potential terrorists'.
For a long time Muslim characters in literature have been connected to this negative image which Said also labels as 'other' and Spivak as 'subaltern'.
The 'hybrid' in which many Muslim characters are often set is also (still) equated with the 'exotic' thus ignoring the energy of Bhabha' s term and its positive realizations in fiction.
It is therefore one aim of this essay to throw light on this matter and to shortly reflect the present influence of 9/11 on Muslim writing.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Migrant writing and contemporary literature
4. The 9/11 novel and its literary energy
5. The impact of 9/11 on Muslim writing
6. Binaries and the polarity of East and West
7. The clash of civilizations and postcolonial background
8. Identity, migration, and the "war on terror"
9. Debating jihad and post-9/11 US nationalism
10. Trauma and the genre of 9/11 fiction
11. Conclusion and future outlook
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores how the events of September 11, 2001, have transformed contemporary literature by authors of Muslim background. It investigates how novelists navigate identity, trauma, and the complex relationship between the Islamic world and the West in the post-9/11 era.
- The evolution of Muslim identity and "migrant condition" in literature.
- The role of 9/11 as a literary catalyst for complex narrative forms.
- Critique of Orientalist stereotypes and the "them versus us" dichotomy.
- The intersection of personal narrative, trauma, and political realignments.
Excerpt from the Book
The Influence of the 9/11 novel of Muslim Writing
Migrant writing as a major element of contemporary English speaking literature of the last five decades has constantly been connected to topics such as the trauma of migration, exodus, immigration, assimilation, diaspora and identity matters all of which can be connected (directly or indirectly) to religion. It is Haviland (2010) who comments on traumatic losses or events and their recovery with the words that in general "narrative plays an important role in these models" (ibid.: 429). This close connection to the religious stems from the fact that religion (just like culture) is a major 'identity provider' with the touch of a resistance identity which helps to contrast the opposing worlds the migrant has to face.
Literature and religion -which had lost their traditional close ties of the past - were suddenly re-discovered by Muslim (and some Western writers as well) with the aim to explore individual characters or topics such as the 'War on Terrorism'. Yet novelists writing about Islam and terrorism in particular seem to mix the alien, other and otherness with the sinister and violent or the image of the Muslim as the scapegoat. It is against this background that fiction of writers of Muslim background forms one of the most diverse, vibrant, provocative and high-profile corpora of work being produced today.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of the challenges faced by Muslims post-9/11 and introduces the essay’s aim to reflect on the influence of this day on contemporary literature.
Introduction: Sets the stage by framing the 9/11 narrative within the broader context of migrant writing and trauma.
Migrant writing and contemporary literature: Examines how religion and culture function as identity providers for the migrant experience.
The 9/11 novel and its literary energy: Discusses how the 9/11 novel has evolved into a contested but vital genre that addresses the uncertainty of modern life.
The impact of 9/11 on Muslim writing: Analyzes the need for novelists to reanimate reality and bridge the gap between a traumatized public and the individual experience.
Binaries and the polarity of East and West: Explores how characters are positioned within the fault-lines of cultural binaries.
The clash of civilizations and postcolonial background: Connects the "clash of civilizations" rhetoric to the tropes of postcolonial writing and the immigrant's search for belonging.
Identity, migration, and the "war on terror": Investigates how globalized and hybrid identities are both challenged and shaped by the "war on terror".
Debating jihad and post-9/11 US nationalism: Reviews how novelists participate in the debate surrounding the true nature of jihad and criticism of Western nationalism.
Trauma and the genre of 9/11 fiction: Focuses on the role of trauma in shaping the "9/11 novel" as a collective memory.
Conclusion and future outlook: Summarizes the ongoing insecurity felt on all sides and the potential for literature to navigate this complex landscape.
Keywords
9/11, Muslim writing, Postcolonialism, Identity, Diaspora, Terrorism, Trauma, Migration, Otherness, Islam, Hybridity, Literature, Orientalism, War on Terror, Belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay examines the literary impact of the September 11 attacks on works by authors of Muslim background, focusing on how these narratives navigate identity, politics, and historical trauma.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The key themes include the "migrant condition," the intersection of religion and politics, the deconstruction of Orientalist stereotypes, and the portrayal of hybrid identities in a globalized world.
What is the research goal of this paper?
The primary aim is to shed light on how 9/11 has reshaped contemporary Muslim writing and to reflect on how novelists represent the complexities of the Muslim experience post-2001.
Which scientific approaches are applied?
The author utilizes literary analysis, incorporating postcolonial theory (referencing Said, Spivak, and Bhabha) and socio-political discourse analysis to evaluate how these novels interact with historical events.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body investigates the transition of the "9/11 novel" into a genre that balances personal identity struggles with broader geopolitical tensions, specifically addressing the role of "otherness."
Which keywords characterize this research?
The study is defined by concepts such as 9/11 fiction, identity, trauma, diaspora, postcolonial literature, and the "clash of civilizations."
How does the author define the "migrant condition" in the context of 9/11?
The author describes it as a state of "national and historical rootlessness," which has been further radicalized by post-9/11 rhetoric and fundamentalism.
What is the significance of "otherness" in the novels discussed?
Otherness is treated as a mechanism used by both media and literature to categorize Muslims, which authors then challenge by depicting the internal complexities and diverse experiences of their characters.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Matthias Dickert (Author), 2017, The Influence of the 9/11 novel on Muslim Writing, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/375653
