Screen Image Of Muslim Women In The Popular Post-9/11 Films On War On Terror

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to deconstruct the screen image of Muslim women in the post- 9/11films on American war on terror. The data was drawn from four popular films (i.e., American Sniper-2014, Jarhead 2: Field of Fire-2014, Zero Dark Thirty- 2012 and Body of Lies-2008) depicting the post 9/11American war on terror in the Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Oman, and Syria (henceforth ‘the Muslim society’). The study built its theoretical foundation by drawing from discourse analysis, critical theory and deconstruction. It is observed that social reality projected in the selected films hinges on different discursive practices manifested through linguistic styles, actions, objects, settings, graphic illustrations and sound tracks. In addition to the identification of the Muslim women in the oppressive discourses, the study unlocks some hidden meanings by acknowledging their professional contributions in the social institutions. The Western Caucasian women, usually empowered to exercise their rights, present a huge contrast to the Muslim women who are dangerously marginalized mostly if not always by the abrogation of rights. The study suggests that the representation of educated and professional women along with those who are oppressed can be a powerful strategy to resist misogynist discourse prevailing in the Muslim society.