Postcolonial Counter Discourse in Ahdaf Soueif‟s The Map of Love

Abstract

This research work reveals the Ahdaf Soueif‟s efforts to erase the binary and the stereotypical perspective of the West, white, English and Christian authorities towards the Islam and other Oriental religions and traditions in „The Map of Love.‟ The term Oriental is related to the Eastern people and traditions. However, Westerners think that they are Occidental. It means modern, developed, and more civilized than Oriental. Thus the West creates the binary and stereotype between Oriental and Occidental. Orientals are taken negatively and Occidental is taken positively. The West discriminates over the East by the construction of differences between the Orientals and Occidental. The West and English create the discourse to justify; they are as superior, rich and more civilized to the Easterners. The Westerners define themselves more civilized to the Orientals. On the basis of such contradictory discourse they dominate over Orientals through colonization. Soueif, in „The Map of Love‟ emphasizes on the peace, humanitarian values, social justice freedom and mutual understanding among the people who are from different races, religions and the good cultures. The English widow, Anna transforms herself into the Islam tradition and likewise the Islam Sharif Basha shows his love and respect towards the English people like Anna. They celebrate each other‟s rituals. Sharif urges Anna to celebrate the Christmas and she also prefers to involve in Islam cultural rituals without hesitation. She follows the Islam ritual in her marriage with Sharif. They celebrate the English New Years Day in the family.