A Self-Orientalist Representation of Islam in Fadia Faqir's Willow Trees Don't Weep

Abstract

This study critically delves into the self-Orientalist discourse inherent in Anglophone Arab literature, where Arab novelists participate in a form of neo-Orientalism by portraying Islam in ways that resonate with established stereotypes prevalent among Western audiences. Focusing on Fadia Faqir's novel Willow Trees Don't Weep, the analysis reveals how the author ascribes negative attributes to Islam and its adherents. The theoretical framework of self-Orientalism, as stated by Lisa Lau, suggests that Anglophone authors often do not reject Orientalist stereotypes; but they often reinforce them within their literary narratives. The study has shown that Faqir, despite her Muslim heritage, does not challenge the dominant stereotypes associated with Islam. Rather, her novel perpetuates these stereotypes, offering a reductive representation of Islam as a religion characterized by intolerance and violence, and as a breeding ground for fanaticism. Muslims are depicted as embodying backwardness, prioritizing superstition over rational thought. Imams are portrayed as exploitative, appearing to prey on the innocence of youth for personal gain. Additionally, the veil is portrayed not only as a constraint imposed on women but also as a tool of oppression. Even veiled women are rendered as "the other," described with contempt. Therefore, Faqir engages in self-Orientalism, perpetuating the very stereotypes she should have aimed to challenge