Today I'd like to share something associated with my group's peer teaching activity. This is a novel called "A pair of jeans" by Qaisra Shahraz. But, first of all: Who is she?
Qaisra Shahraz is an English-Pakistani writer. She was born in Pakistan, but at the age of 8 she moved to England. She studied English literature and classical civilization at the University of Manchester and gained degrees. Her debut novel "The Holy Woman" (2001) won numerous awards, such as the Golden Jubilee award in 2002. Her second novel "Typhoon" was critically acclaimed too. Currently she lives in Manchester with her husband and her three sons.
"A pair of jeans" focuses in Miriam, a University student that very soon will get married with Farook. The same day she returned from Peak District, England their future parents-in-law, Ayub and Begum went to her house to talk about the wedding arrangements. What a surprise found that day: Miriam was dressed with a tight pair of jeans, a short jacket and a shrunk vest showing a little part of her midriff. Their prospective fathers-in-law was shocking by her way of dressing. Miriam wasn't being the modest woman with a moral character and composure... or yes?
Was Miriam better in England? at the University with her friends?. At her own home this woman experimented discrimination by her future fathers-in-law even by her parents just by her way of clothing. This has become very important nowadays in muslim communities. It's part of their culture. But I think that this conflict has always been present around the world, sometimes people judge you by your clothes, by your appearance. I think that all of us have done that. We need to look beyond a simple trousers, a skirt or a t-shirt, we need to explore inside. Miriam was never a indecent girl, she was still the same. She just change her semblance, but never her personality. I'm sure that all of us have felt like Miriam sometime. Just remember who you are. You are in this world for something and the life is beautiful!
I invite you to read this story about cultural clashes, and reflection about tolerance. I recommend you to have a dictionary because the vocabulary is very very complex!
"They are only clothes, I'm still the same young woman they visited regularly, the person that they happily chosen as a bride for their son in their household" - Miriam.
The story in playdough style... See you soon !
Yes, a complex vocabulary, but a really good story, when I read it, I realized that we are always judging by the way of clothing, but in this story the judgment passed to another level where thinking changed in less than a second and just for the way of dress, with this we can realize that we could not spend a day living this way, I must admit that these women despite the suffering they live, are very strong to stand it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for the post!, very toughtful.
I was impressed to read the book, how the views of the other family radically change about Miriam, seeing the western's clothes. They made prejudices and predictions saying that she would be a bad wife for his son.
ReplyDeleteHere we realize in this conservative culture it is surprising how the things that we do everyday in that culture it is not allowed.