Shame

shame; noun:

a: a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety

b: the susceptibility to such emotion

c: a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute

 

In the novel Shame by Salman Rushdie, Sufiya Zinobia is a representation of the inferiority and shame of Pakistani women. She is the shame of Pakistan simply by being born female. McLeod states that men are far more superior and of more importance when it comes to the construction of a nation. "The construction of a national people have tended to privilege men as the active agents in national liberation and the chief beneficiaries of political and economic power gained through nationalist struggle" (McLeod 137). From the moment Sufiya was born, her parents were not pleased with her sex. Her mother even asked God why she had to give birth to such a small girl. "Is that all, my God? So much huffery and puffery to push out only this mouse?" (Rushdie 88).  Her birth was seen as defeat because her parents were counting on her to be the reincarnation of their stillborn son. This just further shows how women are seen as inferior and of less value throughout Pakistan than boys and men. Sufiya also becomes mentally handicapped because of an illness. This is a representation of how women are seen as unintelligent in the Pakistani culture. This is also part of her shame. Sufiya's mother states that this is her burden to bear. "That birdbrain, that mouse! I must accept it: she is my shame" (Rushdie 101). This statement ties it together that just being female in a male dominated society is the female's own burden to carry.

 

 

What does it mean to be a woman in Pakistan? Pakistan is the third most dangerous country for women in the world. 90% of Pakistani women are submitted to some form of domestic abuse, and it is reported that 1,000+ women are killed each year. It is a common misconception that Pakistani women are oppressed because of religion; however, this is not the case. "A certain mentality is deeply ingrained in strictly patriarchal societies like Pakistan. Poor and uneducated women must struggle daily for basic rights, recognition, and respect. They must live in a culture that defines them by the male figures in their lives, even though these women are often the breadwinners for their families." Women usually keep silent about the abuse, rape, etc they face in fear of becoming worthless or meaningless in their family and within society. This is a very sad reality that Pakistani women face on a daily basis. You can read the article To Be a Women in Pakistan and get a firsthand look into the lives of real Pakistani women. This article interviews some very brave women.

Orientalist Stereotypes in "Overland Mail"

 

The idea of the Orient is something that many people from the West held true and it was made known through  their art and literature. One piece of literature that possesses Orientalist stereotypes is the poem "Overland Mail" by Rudyard Kipling. Examples of these stereotypes are apparent throughout Kipling's "Overland Mail" from the very beginning and flow through to the very end. In the very first line of the poem, the Empress of India is addressed: "In the name of the Empress of India, make way" (315). This immediately paints a picture of India being full of luxury and wealth. Orientalist stereotypes continue on through the first stanza: "Let the robber retreat-let the tiger turn tail" (315). The Orient is often categorized as being exotic and wild, maybe even dangerous. The tiger could represent the exotic and wild part of the Orient. However, the forth stanza in a whole is the most Orientalist stereotypical part of the whole poem. It illustrates the exotic landscape of the Orient. "From aloe to rose-oak, from rose-oak to fir, / from level to upland, from upland to crest, / from rice-field to rock-ridge, / from rock-ridge to spur" (316). The landscape is full of trees and land and rocks and vegetation, exactly what is stereotypically known to be Orientalist. Finally, in the last stanza, Kipling offers just a few more lines of Orientalist stereotype. The exotic side and beauty of the Orient is illustrated once again. "There's a scuffle above in the monkey's abode, / The world is awake and the clouds are aglow" (316). Monkeys and beautiful clouds above show the exotic, yet peaceful side of the environment surrounding the overland mailman. Orientalist stereotypes are seen throughout Kipling's "Overland Mail", yet these representations and ideas are not uncommon, and can be seen in many other works of art, literature, or poetry.

 

Westerners see the East as exotic, mystical, sexual, dangerous and mysterious. Orientalist stereotypes like these can be seen throughout art and literature. Check out this link that goes into depth about Orientalism and even offers pictures and examples: What is Orientalism?

 

If anyone is an expert on the subject of Orientalism it is Edward Said. In this video he discusses his views and expertise on Orientalism and the effect it has on society and the arts.