Writing Body and Culture: Mohja Kahf’s The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf
Keywords:
Muslim American literature, feminism, postcolonial theory, double consciousness, transnational feminism, The Girl in the Tangerine ScarfAbstract
This article analyzes Mohja Kahf's novel The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf through feminist and postcolonial lenses, focusing on the imperialist overtones of double consciousness and 'unhomeliness' as experienced by the protagonist Khadra. The paper explores how Khadra challenges imperialism and presents a unique view of colonialism, navigating her hybrid identity as a Muslim American woman. The study examines Khadra's journey from childhood to adulthood, highlighting her struggles with cultural identity, religion, and feminism. The author contends that Khadra's experiences reflect broader issues faced by Muslim American women, including education, family obligations, marriage, and independence. This work investigates the significance of Khadra's transnational feminist stance concerning her body, sexuality, and life choices. The article demonstrates how Khadra's story contributes to understanding the complexities of Muslim American women's lives.(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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