Politics of Memory in Greg Mortenson'sThree Cups of Tea

Abstract

This research project makes a modest interrogation upon the motives behind Greg Mortenson’s recollection of his experiences in his autobiographical memoir Three Cupsduring the course of his humanitarian work in the face of rampant terrorism in Pakistan. His act of remembering the series of his struggles, sufferings, painful confrontationswithin the complex tropes of political and religious conflicts between western world in general and America in particular and Pakistan as well as his philanthropic aids contradict the assumptions held by the two worlds against each other. Furthermore, it argues that the application of the humanitarian discourse instead of cultural politics of war can vehemently be found underlining the essence of Mortenson’s introspection throughout the memoir. It analyses Mortenson’s communitarian values along with the slight observation upon the backdrop of the cultural, religious and political differences so that the autobiographer’s point of transformation could be located for the sound justification of the argument. It has been carried out in the theoretical light of the Bildungsroman to pinpoint the mode of transformation on the part of autobiographer’s humanitarian approach and strengthen the argument that Mortenson’s act of remembering embodies the value of philanthropic service by standing above the boundary of any political, cultural and religious constraints. Besides, the paper borrows the theoretical ideas from the critical works on the politics of memory and study the hidden motives behind the protagonist’s recollection. This way, the research concludes with the findings that Mortenson’s act of remembering intends to inculcate the humanitarian discourse as an instrument to fight terrorism. Key Words: Humanitarian Discourse, Politics of memory, Bildungsroman, Education