America, being a country of extreme liberalism, individual freedom, choice and existence and modern & lavish way of living is a center of attraction for the people of Third world. And the new rise of globalization and capitalism has also added to its glory. So, people from the other parts of the world in search of better ways of living, high standard and for monetary gain often go to settle there.
But everything is not as easy as it appears as more or less they have to face some problems in a new atmosphere. And the most important issue is adjustment or assimilation. The fact is that some people find it difficult to adapt themselves to new surroundings which are totally different than the society of their native country. They experience culture shock as American culture and society are very different from their traditional ones. This is especially a vital issue with the Muslim communities when they migrate to the United States.
In recent times, there is a rise of diasporic writers who are also enriching American literature by sharing their immigrant experiences. Though there are many such writers I am focusing on Mohja Kafh, Khaled Hosseini, Asra Nomani, and Samima Ali.
Keywords: Diasporic Muslim writers, American Literature, Immigrant experience, Third world country.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Diasporic Experience in Literature
- Mohja Kahf and Muslim American Literature
- Khaled Hosseini and the Afghan Diaspora
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to explore the contributions of diasporic Muslim writers to American literature, focusing on the experiences of immigration and cultural adjustment. It examines how these writers utilize literature to express their feelings, experiences, and challenges in a new cultural context.
- The immigrant experience of Muslim communities in the United States.
- The development and characteristics of Muslim American Literature.
- The role of diaspora in shaping literary expression and cultural transmission.
- Themes of guilt, redemption, and cultural identity in diasporic narratives.
- The representation of Muslim women in Western literature.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the study by highlighting the United States as a major destination for immigrants from the Third World, emphasizing the challenges of assimilation and cultural adjustment, particularly within Muslim communities. It introduces the concept of diasporic literature as a means of expressing these experiences and positions the selected authors within the broader context of American and global literature.
The Diasporic Experience in Literature: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework of diasporic literature, exploring associated terms like exile, alienation, nostalgia, and hybridity. It discusses the role of diasporic writing in challenging dominant narratives and providing a voice for marginalized communities. The chapter uses the perspectives of scholars like Paul Brians and Aizaz Ahmad to illustrate the complexities and significance of diasporic literary production, emphasizing its capacity to offer both "imagined experiences" rooted in reality and a global understanding for readers.
Mohja Kahf and Muslim American Literature: This chapter focuses on the work and perspective of Mohja Kahf, a Syrian-born Arab-American poet and author. It highlights Kahf's argument for the existence of a distinct Muslim American Literature (MAL), encompassing diverse forms and encompassing various sub-categories. The chapter examines Kahf's influential work, "Western Representations of the Muslim Woman: From Termagant to Odalisque," and its scholarly reception, emphasizing its contribution to the understanding of how Muslim women are depicted in Western literature.
Khaled Hosseini and the Afghan Diaspora: This chapter profiles Khaled Hosseini, an Afghan-American author known for his bestselling novels, "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns." It examines the autobiographical elements in his work, focusing on his childhood memories of Afghanistan and his experiences with the Hazara people, which significantly impacted his writing. The chapter delves into the major themes of guilt and redemption explored in "The Kite Runner" as a representation of the diasporic experience and the lingering ties to the homeland.
Keywords
Diasporic Muslim writers, American Literature, Immigrant experience, cultural assimilation, Muslim American Literature, Khaled Hosseini, Mohja Kahf, Asra Nomani, Samima Ali, guilt, redemption, cultural identity, hybridity, postcolonial literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this language preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of a work exploring the contributions of diasporic Muslim writers to American literature. It specifically focuses on the experiences of immigration, cultural adjustment, and the expression of these experiences through literature.
What topics are covered in the preview?
The preview includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It highlights the immigrant experience of Muslim communities in the United States, the development of Muslim American Literature, and the role of diaspora in shaping literary expression. Specific authors like Mohja Kahf and Khaled Hosseini are discussed, along with themes of guilt, redemption, and cultural identity.
Which authors are discussed in this work?
The work focuses primarily on Mohja Kahf and Khaled Hosseini. Mohja Kahf's contributions to Muslim American Literature and her analysis of Western representations of Muslim women are examined. Khaled Hosseini's work, particularly "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns," is analyzed through the lens of the Afghan diaspora and themes of guilt and redemption.
What are the key themes explored in the work?
Key themes include the immigrant experience of Muslim communities in the U.S., the development and characteristics of Muslim American Literature, the role of diaspora in shaping literary expression, themes of guilt, redemption, and cultural identity in diasporic narratives, and the representation of Muslim women in Western literature.
What is the theoretical framework of the work?
The work utilizes the theoretical framework of diasporic literature, exploring concepts such as exile, alienation, nostalgia, and hybridity. It draws upon the perspectives of scholars like Paul Brians and Aizaz Ahmad to understand the complexities and significance of diasporic literary production.
What is the significance of Muslim American Literature (MAL)?
The work emphasizes the significance of MAL as a distinct literary field encompassing diverse forms and sub-categories. It highlights Mohja Kahf's arguments for the existence and importance of this distinct literary tradition.
What are some of the key concepts discussed relating to the diaspora?
Key concepts related to the diaspora include exile, alienation, nostalgia, hybridity, imagined experiences, and cultural transmission. The work explores how these concepts shape the literary expressions and experiences of diasporic writers.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content, giving readers a clear understanding of the structure and flow of the argument presented in the work. They highlight the key arguments and findings within each section.
What are the keywords associated with this work?
Keywords include: Diasporic Muslim writers, American Literature, Immigrant experience, cultural assimilation, Muslim American Literature, Khaled Hosseini, Mohja Kahf, guilt, redemption, cultural identity, hybridity, and postcolonial literature.
- Quote paper
- PhD (English) Shamenaz Bano (Author), 2020, The Rise of Diasporic Muslim Writers in American Literature. Mohja Kahf, Khaled Hosseini, Asra Nomani & Samima Ali, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/923278
