The incorporation of war into English speaking literature has a long tradition since wars as such form ideal literacy backgrounds for plot, character development or political criticism. In times of civil uproar, political insecurity, outer enemies or ongoing wars this use of war as a literary means has always increased. This is recently perhaps best shown by the events of 9/11. They have not only taken American literature out from its long involvement in local matters such as family, village or town but pushed it into new directions which formed completely new types of novels such as the 9/11 novel, the post-9/11 novel or Ground Zero Fiction where war gained a new dimension which was so different from war literature of the First World War, the Second World War or the Vietnam War.
In most cases this literary coverage of 9/11 has mostly remained in American families or matters of 'home' and it lacked an appropriate coverage of the Muslim side and it is here where the novel analyzed here steps in.
Omar EI Akkad's novel American War (2017) exactly fits in this background not only because it is written by an author originating from a Muslim background it also brings the topic war back to America to discuss it here. This is new and radical in the sense that readers suddenly are confronted with problems such as war, terrorism, suicide bombers or chemical warfare which so far have been placed on foreign battlegrounds.
It is now the USA which is used to discuss matters which were formerly used under American Presidents with slogans such as 'Crusade' or 'Holy War'.
Omar El Akkad thus combines two main trends of Muslim writing which are characterized by bringing the narration into the West or by taking it back into the former colonies. By choosing a civil war as the background for his novel El Akkad mixes both trends while importing terror back to the USA which is to blame for it.
American War is a novel which contains several elements thus being an important representative of contemporary English speaking literature.
Table of Contents
I. Abstract
II. Introduction
III. American and English War Literature - a short Introduction
IV. The Influence of the 9/11 Novel on Muslim Writing
V. Literary Background of American War
1. The American South
2. The Orphan in Literature
3. The Presentation of War and Children
VI. American War – Close Analysis
VII. Sarat - hero or anti-hero?
VIII. Conclusion
IX. Outlook
X. Bibliography
Objectives and Themes
This academic work explores how contemporary English-speaking literature, specifically Omar El Akkad's novel American War (2017), incorporates the themes of war, trauma, and identity through the perspective of a child. The research examines how the novel reflects the shifting landscape of post-9/11 literature, particularly by centering the narrative within the United States, thereby challenging traditional postcolonial binaries of "us versus them."
- The evolution of war literature from traditional depictions to post-9/11 "Ground Zero" fiction.
- The specific role of the orphan figure and child perspectives in narrating the trauma of war.
- The influence of the American South as a literary setting for exploring historical and ongoing civil injustices.
- The synthesis of dystopian, science fiction, and Bildungsroman elements to create a critique of contemporary American political and social structures.
Excerpt from the Book
The American South
In the South there is no future, “only three kinds of past - the distant past of heritage, the near past of experience, and the past in waiting” (AW 316).
It is this passage taken from AW which seems to describe best if one thinks of the American South. To give a precise definition of what Southern literature stands for is difficult to define since its literary fields are various and multiple.
In the past it consisted of branches like Plantation literature, White Southern Womanhood and Race, Humour Writing, Rise of Local Colour, the Civil War Era and the Advent of a lost Cause, The Rise of the Critical Spirit or African American Literature and Slave Narrative which all formed what the wider term Southern Literature today stands for.
The author of this essay reflects Southern literature from two backgrounds. One understands Southern literature equally as literature of the American South in the sense that it covers writers coming from this region. The other is a more wider term since it implies all authors who use the American South as their place for narration, as does El Akkad.
El Akkad as a Muslim in a way provokes this traditional concept of Southern literature but he reflects typical Southern topics of this genre such as Southern history, the significance of family, a sense of community, justice and not to forget the terms war and civil war.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of the novel’s role in contemporary literature as a critique of American foreign policy and a departure from traditional post-9/11 narratives.
Introduction: Examines the long-standing tradition of war in literature and how the terror attacks of 9/11 fundamentally altered this genre by introducing new forms of trauma and identity exploration.
American and English War Literature - a short Introduction: Details the historical trajectory of war novels, noting the transition from heroic battle narratives to those centered on trauma, loss, and the individual experience.
The Influence of the 9/11 Novel on Muslim Writing: Analyzes the emergence of Muslim voices in Western literature, focusing on the deconstruction of the "other" and the struggle for identity post-2001.
Literary Background of American War: Explores the thematic foundations of the novel, specifically the cultural history of the American South, the trope of the orphan, and the psychological impact of war on children.
American War – Close Analysis: Offers a deep dive into the narrative structure, dystopian elements, and the character development of Sarat Chestnut within the context of a futuristic civil war.
Sarat - hero or anti-hero?: Investigates the complex nature of the protagonist, balancing her role as a military-trained killer with that of a weary pilgrim seeking fulfillment.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the novel's significance as a "tour de force" that uses the American setting as an allegory for contemporary global conflicts and the dehumanizing nature of endless war.
Outlook: Reflects on the future of war literature, emphasizing the necessity for narratives that critically engage with modern warfare and the suffering of the most vulnerable.
Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and primary texts utilized for this research.
Keywords
American War, Omar El Akkad, War Literature, Post-9/11, Muslim Writing, Identity, Trauma, Orphan, American South, Civil War, Dystopian, Child Perspective, Narrative, Terrorism, Bildungsroman
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this analysis?
This work examines how the novel "American War" by Omar El Akkad serves as a critical contribution to contemporary war literature by reversing the standard narrative of American-led intervention.
What are the primary thematic pillars of the work?
The key themes include the representation of war through a child's eyes, the role of the orphan in literature, the significance of the American South as a setting, and the complex exploration of Muslim identity in a post-9/11 context.
What is the primary research aim of the analysis?
The analysis aims to demonstrate how El Akkad utilizes the genre of dystopian fiction to reflect on real-world political issues, such as the polarization of American society and the impact of the "War on Terror."
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The work uses a comparative and analytical literary approach, incorporating theories of trauma, postcolonialism, and cultural studies to evaluate the narrative strategies of the novel.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main part of the paper investigates the intersection of personal growth and violent conflict, the evolution of war narratives, and the specific literary devices used to present Sarat Chestnut's transformation from an innocent child to a war participant.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The core keywords include "American War," "Identity," "Post-9/11 literature," "Child perspective," "Orphan figure," and "War trauma."
How does Sarat’s development challenge typical tropes?
Sarat’s character arc defies traditional expectations of the "hero" by presenting a protagonist who is simultaneously a victim of institutionalized violence and a perpetuator of extremist acts, thereby complicating the audience's moral judgment.
What is the significance of the "American South" in the novel?
The American South acts as a microcosm of global conflict, where historical grievances of the original Civil War are re-imagined to address contemporary issues of injustice, race, and nationalism.
Why does the author prioritize the child's perspective?
By using a child's point of view, the novel highlights the vulnerability of future generations and emphasizes the loss of innocence as a direct consequence of the systematic nature of modern warfare.
- Citar trabajo
- Dr. Matthias Dickert (Autor), 2018, Omar El Akkad's "American War". A Child's Perspective on War, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/414395
