Pakistani Literature in English like other worldly literatures is gaining worldly fame and in this respect Pakistani writers particularly in English from time to time have shown their enthusiasm and loyal spirit to highlight the socio-economic, political, cultural problems of Pakistan in which it has lingered so far. Pakistan, being a Multi-ethnic country, has a diverse geography and culture and the people their belief in the feudal system, hierarchical power distribution, which historically is the product of the imperialistic country. This class has always shown resistance towards the changes in the society. Pakistan has given a privileged position to the army, bureaucrats and the feudal lords. There has been conflict between the conservative and liberal set of people within the society of Pakistan as reflected by the conflicts and opposite thinking, taught in madrasa and westernized elite schools respectively. These two institutions carry two different and diametrically opposed worldview. Madrasas teaches its students the traditional, conventional sets of ideologies and Islamic ways of life, whereas the modern school teaches the ways of life based on modern setups.
The laws of tradition and modernity vary from place to place and even the Pakistani tradition in Pakistani aristocratic families has become a myth. So this book English Fiction in Pakistan with a focus of Qaisra Shahraz will try to make an effort to highlight the different modes of tradition vs modernity and how Shahraz has dealt with, and how society of Pakistan is being reflected in her works. Shahraz has so far written three novels – The Holy woman (Fated to Love) (2001) Typhoon
(Love’s Fury) (2003) and Revolt (2013). She is working on her fourth novel The Henna Painter. Qaisra Shahraz as a diasporic author and a multilingual intellectual, who represents the new age Muslim woman, shares her experiences of living as a Muslim woman with multiple identities in Britain. She has written three novels and several short stories, that later were compiled in a single book named A Pair of Jeans. Moreover, a critical analysis of her work features in a book entitled The Holy the Unholy Critical Essays on Qaisra Shahraz’s Fiction (2011). She throughout her writings in one or the other way has raised the problems of some social evils and problems of women that reflect in both westerns part of world as well as in the society of present Pakistan.
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abstract
- Chapter 1: Introduction
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to analyze the novels of Qaisra Shahraz, exploring how they reflect the socio-political and cultural landscape of Pakistan, particularly focusing on themes of tradition versus modernity and the position of women within Pakistani society. The study examines Shahraz's use of English as a literary language within a Pakistani context and the unique perspective she offers as a diasporic author.
- Tradition versus Modernity in Pakistani Society
- The Role and Status of Women in Pakistan
- Pakistani Identity and Diaspora
- The Use of English as a Literary Language in Pakistan
- Feminist Perspectives in Pakistani Literature
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Qaisra Shahraz's novels. It provides background information on Pakistani literature in English, highlighting the historical context of its development and the emergence of prose fiction alongside poetry and drama. The chapter emphasizes the growing prominence of political and socio-economic themes in Pakistani English literature and introduces Qaisra Shahraz as a significant figure in this context. The author's personal journey and experiences, especially her diasporic background as a Pakistani-British novelist, are introduced, framing the study's focus on how her unique perspective shapes her portrayal of Pakistani society. The chapter also establishes the central conflict between tradition and modernity in Pakistani society, a theme consistently explored throughout Shahraz's works and the overarching focus of this study. The introduction concludes by outlining the objectives of the work and its methodology in examining Shahraz's novels and their relevance to understanding broader social and cultural dynamics in Pakistan.
Keywords
Pakistani literature, Qaisra Shahraz, English fiction, tradition vs. modernity, women in Pakistan, diaspora, feminist literature, socio-political themes, cultural identity.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Qaisra Shahraz's Novels
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a scholarly work analyzing the novels of Qaisra Shahraz. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of Qaisra Shahraz's novels?
The analysis focuses on the interplay between tradition and modernity in Pakistani society, the role and status of women in Pakistan, Pakistani identity and the diaspora experience, the use of English as a literary language in a Pakistani context, and feminist perspectives in Pakistani literature.
What is the scope of the analysis?
The analysis examines how Qaisra Shahraz's novels reflect the socio-political and cultural landscape of Pakistan, paying particular attention to her unique perspective as a diasporic author (Pakistani-British).
What does the introduction chapter cover?
Chapter 1 provides background information on Pakistani literature in English, highlighting its historical development and the emergence of prose fiction. It introduces Qaisra Shahraz as a significant figure, discussing her personal journey and its influence on her writing. The chapter establishes the central theme of tradition versus modernity and outlines the study's objectives and methodology.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Pakistani literature, Qaisra Shahraz, English fiction, tradition vs. modernity, women in Pakistan, diaspora, feminist literature, socio-political themes, and cultural identity.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes: Acknowledgements, Abstract, and Chapter 1: Introduction (with further chapters implied but not detailed in this preview).
What is the overall approach of the analysis?
The analysis utilizes a structured and professional approach, aiming to provide a scholarly examination of Qaisra Shahraz's novels and their thematic significance within the broader context of Pakistani literature and society.
- Quote paper
- Huda Majeed (Author), 2015, English Fiction in Pakistan. Focus on Qaisra Shahraz, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/299262
