Differentiation and Imperfectionality in John Updike’s Terrorist

M Ikbal M Alosman,Raihanah M M,Ruzy Suliza Hashim

doi:10.17576/3l-2018-2402-05

M Ikbal M Alosman, Raihanah M M + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17576/3l-2018-2402-05

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Abstract

John Updike, one of America’s eminent 20 th century novelists, provides his own fictionalized presentation of the Muslim other within the American socio-cultural context in his 22 nd novel, Terrorist. This novel is abundant with binary representations of Muslims whose acts and interactions with fellow Christian and Jewish Americans are scripted by their respective religious values. Updike’s exemplifications of Islam and Muslims within the American context are investigated through the problematizing of Muslims’ socio-cultural imperfections within the lens of orientalism and psychology of (im)perfection. I mperfectionalism as used in this paper refers to the inconsistent, unreliable and unpredictable characteristics that define the Muslim Other in comparison to mainstream American society. Using themes of ‘religious differences,’ ‘differences between religions,’ ‘social differences,’ ‘gendered and exotic differences’ and ‘optimized differences,’ Updike’s Muslim characters are presented as flawed and faulty in their beliefs and conviction. In addition, Updike’s representation of Islam rests on its blemishes including its disregard for self-improvement and modernity. D esigns of orientalism and imperfection as seen in this novel frame the Muslim other as the imperfect version of the perfect non-Muslim American. Keywords: 9/11; Muslims; American novel; differentiation; imperfectionality

Highlights

As the aftermath effect of 9/11, American authors have begun to mold their experiences as well as aptitudes to epitomize, either overtly or covertly, the attacks in their literary works (Zabihzadeh et al 2017)
In Terrorist, both Islam and Muslims have been illustrated within a framework of differentiation
As a religion, has been both drawn in parochial perspective and assigned a differentiated status. In addition to their being socially othered in Terrorist, male Muslims have been presented with their feminized and exotic characteristics

Summary

INTRODUCTION

As the aftermath effect of 9/11, American authors have begun to mold their experiences as well as aptitudes to epitomize, either overtly or covertly, the attacks in their literary works (Zabihzadeh et al 2017). In his 22nd novel, Terrorist, distinguished American novelist and man of letters, John Updike, seizes the tragic event of September 11, 2001 as his own conception of terrorism and its relation with Islam and Muslims. We examine the means through which both Islam and Muslims are mediated within the American socio-cultural-religious contexts in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

LITERATURE REVIEW

CONCLUSION