Tinges of Colonial Narrativity in Updike’s Terrorist

Morteza Yousofi; Roohollah  Reesi Sistani; Marziyeh  Farivar

Authors

Morteza Yousofi Department of English, Imam Reza University, Mashhad, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3563-6557
Roohollah Reesi Sistani Department of English Language, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2391-8637
Marziyeh Farivar Department of English Language and Literature, University of Gonabad, Gonabad, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2381-1183

Keywords:

John Updike, Narrativity, Postcolonial literature, Islamophobia, David Spurr, Debasement

Abstract

In most of the 9/11 American novels, Islam is presented as a warmongering religion and its adherents, as violent people. This study aims to examine Updike's attitude toward Islam and the Muslims through a postcolonial lens in Terrorist. The novel uses 9/11 as an impetus to map the course of events and emphasizes Islam, Muslims, and the Islamic doctrines. A postcolonial concept derived from David Spurr's rhetorical feature of ‘debasement’ serves as the conceptual framework. Through the study of the characters in the novel, debasement concentrates on the novel's colonial nuances. Referring to incorrect interpretations of Islam has led to a false picture of the Islamic doctrines resulting in Islam and Muslims’ demonization. The conclusion reveals how Updike's hegemonic ideology about Islam has shaped a kind of discursive construction in his novel exposing Terrorist as Islamophobic that bears the tinges of colonial writings. This primarily results in the denigration of Islam and Muslims.

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References

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