Research Article

The Failure in Communication: Gaze and Gaze Back in “The Museum”

Volume: 7 Number: 1 June 30, 2025
Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature Cover
Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature
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The Failure in Communication: Gaze and Gaze Back in “The Museum”

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between gaze and subjectivity construction, focusing on Shadia in “The Museum” written by Lelia Aboulela. Through the theoretical lens of gaze, the influence of familial, Western ideological, and imperial gazes on Shadia’s self-perception is explored. The analysis reveals that these gazes initially render her passive and devoid of subjectivity. However, through gazing back, Shadia gradually reconstructs her subjectivity as a woman and as an African. Despite her efforts, the powerful imperial gaze in the museum context limits her ability to bridge the gap with Bryan. This study highlights the transformative potential and limitations of gazing practices and emphasizes the ongoing negotiation between individual agency and dominant gazes in shaping subjectivity.

Keywords

References

  1. Aboulela, L. (2013). The Museum. In W. Rampone & B. Solomon (Eds.), An African Quilt: 24 Modern African Stories (pp. 1-19). New York: Penguin Group.
  2. Alonso, C. R. (2017). Islam as a Rhythmic Reality: Identity, Emotions and Urban Space in Leila Aboulela's Short Fiction. Babel–AFIAL: Aspectos de Filoloxía Inglesa e Alemá(26), 53-66.
  3. Arora, A. (2021). Decolonizing the museum: Leila Aboulela’s “The Museum”. Journal of Postcolonial Writing, 57(1), 121-134. doi: 10.1080/17449855.2020.1847171
  4. Barringer, T., & Flynn, T. (2012). Introduciton. In T. Barringer & T. Flynn (Eds.), Colonialism and the object: empire, material culture and the museum (pp. 1-8). London: Routledge.
  5. Cooper, B. (2006). Look Who’s Talking? The Translator, 12(2), 323-344. doi: 10.1080/13556509.2006.10799221
  6. Fanon, F. (2008). Black skin, white masks: Grove Press.
  7. Hooks, B. (2003). The Oppositional Gaze: Black female spectators. In A. Jones (Ed.), The feminism and visual culture reader (pp. 94-105). London: Routledge.
  8. MacKenzie, J. M. (2017). Museums and empire: Natural history, human cultures and colonial identities. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

British and Irish Language, Literature and Culture

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

June 30, 2025

Submission Date

January 1, 2024

Acceptance Date

May 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA42YR69JX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Zhong, Z. (2025). The Failure in Communication: Gaze and Gaze Back in “The Museum”. Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature, 7(1), 46-54. https://izlik.org/JA42YR69JX