It Is Often Said That Literature Is a Voice for Social Commentary. How Is This True for at Least Two of the Works You Have Read?

Commentary

Q- It is often said that literature is a voice for social commentary. How is this true for at least two of the works you have read?

Social commentary or social criticism refers to how people are divided into groups based on their culture, financial standing and cost. This might fuel conflict and may force people to act in a certain way. The novel “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” written by Mohsin Hamid a Pakistani novelist revolves around a Pakistani man named Changez recalling his American journey to an American in a cafe in Lahore. On the other hand, ‘Persepolis’ by Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian born French graphic novelist, is a graphic novel written in the style of a memoir that unravels the Iranian revolution through the eyes of a 10 year old girl named Marjane. Both of the writers attempt to voice a protest against the order of society vis a vis through different means Mohsin Hamid uses dramatic monologue, an unreliable narrator and frame story and main story. Whereas, Marjane Satrapi uses the help of visual imagery, symbolism of the veil and allusions to extensively portray social criticism.

The veil is used as a symbol of objectivation of women, oppression, discrimination and gender stereotyping in Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel ‘Persepolis’. When the new order came into place, veils were introduced. These veils created a havoc in the society as there were people for and against this concept. With a change in regime one expects progression whereas this actually takes them many steps backwards. Children were forced to wear this to school even though they felt it was “execution in the name of freedom” and did not understand the reason behind this concept. This shows the exposure the kids have been subjected to. By using the lexical field of war Satrapi portrays the harshness and the violence the young children have been exposed to. Further the author uses a wide angled panel in order to portray a series of events in one panel by using the foreground, midground and background to show how the significance and impact of the veil as a religious symbol is lost to the young innocent children. The veil is something that is not providing them freedom but is actually thwarting their dreams and freedom. This veil segregates woman thus highlighting the theme of gender stereotyping prevalent in the novel. Moreover, when Marjane was spotted wearing funky clothes by the guardian of the revolution, the guardian caught hold of her and threaten her to take her to the committee in response to this Marjane begged her for mercy and lied to her saying that her mother will “make her father put me in an orphanage.

By segregating the kids these children have been exposed to the major themes of gender stratification and inequality and further are being

The paragraph here should be about Changez’s segregation wherein he felt alienated and alone inspite of having felt as a New Yorker before

Alienation post 9/11

Beard as a symbol of his ethnicity

Janissary effect

Alienation from Erica wherein his competition I’d a dead fiance

Alienation on the trip home home from Manila

In ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ Changez grows a beard as a symbol of patriotism and revolt against social criticism that arises in Changez post 9/11. His decision to grow a beard was his first step to take on his own identity, an identity of a proud Pakistani. His colleagues at underwood Sampson warn him about his decision almost like he is doing some crime. This highlights the social criticism present in today’s society. People judge and make assumptions about others based on their physical appearance and find everyone of a particular cast to portray the same characteristics. Which shows the social criticism voiced by Mohsin Hamid in order to bring about a change in the society and most importantly a change in people’s mindset.

In the graphic novel ‘Persepolis’ we see dress codes that have been set out for people to wear, authorities have made separate dress codes for people who are considered modern and progressive and the people who are Islamic. A woman can be considered to be revolting against the authority just by letting few strands of her hair open whereas if a man tucks his shirt in or shaves off his beard then he is not considered islamic. This shows the mindset of the people as they categories people by the way they dress and make assumptions about their characteristics and thoughts based on the way they are dressed. People are associated to different groups in the society just on the bases of there clothing which highlights the social criticism present in the society. Moreover, when Marjane was spotted

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