Marginality as a Site of Resistance

Year 2023, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 50 - 75, 31.12.2023

Dr. Arshia Zaib

Abstract

Abstract:
Considering the sublime notion of emancipation, enlightenment and transformation associated with research, this chapter explores the response of contemporary Pakistani literature in English, i.e. how writers are responding, reacting and relating to the contemporary reality of terrorism, violence, extremism and suicide bombing. This paper highlights the exclusion and discriminating attitude faced by the Muslim American men and women, specifically the Pakistani Americans, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in America. Through the lens of fiction; namely– Home Boy ( H. M. Naqvi), I have endeavored to bring into light the terrible experiences the Pakistani Americans underwent, the humiliation and discrimination they endured at the hands of the American government and individuals, the personal and collective impacts of 9/11 on their lives and above all the ways in which Pakistani Americans have adapted to the post 9/11 attitudes and situations. H. M. Naqvi’s Homeboy deals with the events of 9/11 in varying degrees and relations and adopts various strategies for representing this devastating event. The paper exposes the margins as site of resistance as well as representation and aims at giving voice to the earlier unheard marginalized peoples by exploring the writer’s humble struggle for decolonizing the future i.e. not only disrupting the status quo, but also challenging and questioning it.

Keywords

marginality, resistance, post 9/11 status quo, disrupting, challenging

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