This research study highlights the role of Mohammed Hanif as a native informer in representing his own culture and religion, Islam, in his novel, Red Birds (2018). Edward Said's postcolonial theory, as presented in Orientalism (1979) and Covering Islam (1997), is applied as a tool to analyze the novel textually and contextually. The research methodology is inductive and exploratory. According to Said (1979), political knowledge may influence a state's policies about a region, as is evident in Red Birds. Hanif (2018) uses Major Ellie and Momo in the novel as his mouthpieces in depicting and representing Muslims as backwards and savages. This approach of Hanif's (2018) towards Muslims serves the narrative of the Neo-Orientalists. As Dabashi (2011), argues that Neo-Orientalists have historically used diaspora authors for their purposes. Hanif, as a native informer, has misrepresented Islam in Red Birds (2018). Hanif (2018) portrays Islam as an outdated religion. The modern world need not propagate any religion or culture negatively. Instead, we need flexibility and acceptance for peaceful co-existence.
Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to comparatively study George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) and Pakistani political scenario. The study attempts to find similarities between the two from various aspects such as economy, freedom of speech, leadership, etc., and their effect on the masses. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is mainly qualitative as the evidence is gathered from the novella Animal Farm and the public speeches, interviews, and from the social media handles of leading politicians. Critical Discourse Model (CDA), developed by Van Dijk (2001), is employed for the analysis and discussion. The selected texts were then contextualized for comparative analysis. Findings: The textual evidence collected from the novella Animal Farm and the speeches, interviews, and social media posts from the political leaders reveal that there are certain common elements in both parties. The common elements include censorship on freedom of expression, lack of deliverance on the part of leadership, worsening economy, etc. Implications/Originality/Value: This research study is significant in the sense it is applicable on various levels such as leadership and its role in shaping the fate of society, the importance of freedom of speech as it paves the way for discussion for a better future of a nation. It also discusses the reason for the failure of economy. Furthermore, it is applicable to prevail justice and equality in society in all forms. This study aimed at discussing the common elements between Animal Farm and Pakistani politics. This is, to the best of my knowledge, perhaps, the first attempt in this regard. It is beneficial for readers in the sense that it provides them to relate the fictional world of Animal Farm to the real happenings in society and its impact on members of the society. Furthermore, it is suggestive in the sense that it provides a solution/alternative for the politicians and stakeholders of the state.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.