Hi readers,
Throughout the year my ASTU class has focused on the relationship between literature and concepts like memory, history, culture, feminism and islamophobia. The texts we have analyzed have ranged from graphic novels, to scholarly essays, to memoirs, and all have shown compelling narratives that enabled the class to have a well-rounded understanding of the genres of literature.
Most recently, our class watched the film American Sniper and we looked at how the “War on Terror” is depicted in mainstream media. Our analysis of the film was influenced by previous texts we encountered that shared similar themes, for instance the novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. Both American Sniper and The Reluctant Fundamentalist show two different kinds Post- 9/11 narratives. American Sniper offers the perspective of American heroism in the Middle-East, whereas The Reluctant Fundamentalist shows a counter narrative which questions American identity and culture. Both narratives depict a specific perspective on the “War on Terror”. In analyzing these opposing narratives, it is interesting to observe the theme of islamophobia. American Sniper can be seen as showcasing the theme of islamophobia by portraying the Iraqi soldiers as uncivilized compared to the American troops, as well as creating a narrative where the Iraqi people are depicted as malevolent. In The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Hamid actively utilizes the theme of islamophobia to show the protagonist’s oppression in American society due to his appearance. Looking at the same concept through different lenses shows how powerful literature and media are in influencing our own outlooks.
Another concept I used while watching American Sniper was seeing the film as a “white saviour narrative” which is a theme I have discussed in my Gender Studies class. Since the film centres around a white man fighting for his country, it shows a “white saviour narrative” that is common in Western cinema. This theme is detrimental because it conveys to audiences that there is a superiority in race, and reinforces that certain countries/cultures need to be “saved” by others. I’m glad that I could apply this concept to my understanding of the film because I was able to witness the prevalence of this trope and it altered how I viewed the movie.
Overall, ASTU has enabled me to think critically about how different genres of literature convey concepts like memory and truth, and why this is significant in my understanding of specific events. I know that I will be able to apply these ideas in further studies of literature. 🙂
