From normativity to resilience: an intersectional analysis of umera ahmed’s man-o- salwa and monica ali’s brick lane
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Date
2024
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Publisher
UMT Lahore
Abstract
The research strives to explore the complex web of gender performances while
examining its literary manifestation in patriarchal societies created by Umera Ahmed and
Monica Ali in Man O Salwa and Brick Lane respectively. Drawing on normativity and resilience
aspects from Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory, the research probes into ramifications
of societal norms on the gender performances of female protagonists in aforementioned selected
novels. The research probes into the realities behind gender performances to decipher traditional
gender roles assigned to women by patriarchal societies and cultural norms. Through an
intersectional analysis, the research examines the intersection of gender with other factors of
identity such as class, culture, immigrant issues, financial level and relational status to create a
diverse form of oppression for female protagonists of chosen works. The research digs deeply
into the strenuous struggles portrayed by female protagonists in reshaping their identities while
showcasing resilience against socioeconomic challenges and societal patriarchy at the same time.
By examining various instances of normativity and performativity failure, the research
investigates the tension between cultural norms and female resilience. The study analyzes the
multifaceted nature of gender roles and in form of reaction, the coping mechanisms of the female
leading characters of aforementioned novels in which they negotiate and take stand against these
subjugating gender performances. The research exhibits female protagonists’ tumultuous journey
from tradition to transformation against the backdrop of intersection of different identity axis.