My research will be centered around head coverings for women in the Middle Eastern region. Many have been mentioned throughout
Home Fire so far, and I would like to better understand the significance and tradition behind them. During my reading, I noticed that Isma wears a turban, Aneeka wears a hijab, and the women of the caliphate wear burkas or niquabs. Some other types of head coverings that I may also explore are chadors and dupattas. However, there are so many varying types of head covering that I may need to narrow my research to only Islamic head coverings or another more specified topic. Whichever head coverings I choose to investigate, I will begin by finding scholarly sources that detail the different histories and cultural significance behind the pieces. From there, I intend on referring to the current protests in Iran about women's right to choose to wear head coverings and explore contemporary journalistic articles about feminism, agency, and personal sovereignty in the context of head coverings. One of the aspects I am most excited about for this particular topic is that it is multidisciplinary, spanning religious studies, history, politics, and gender studies. My prediction is that Shamsie chose for the female characters of her book to prefer different head coverings in order to communicate something about their personality, religious experience, and stance on women's rights, and with luck, I will be better able to understand what Shamsie is saying when my research excursion is complete.
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You do have a point Heather. I was wondering the same thing. If they take their headwear as a personal choice as much as a religious one or if there is an entirely different reason for each of the different headwear that the female characters have. I can't wait to read what you find in your research excursion. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThe head coverings are a great topic to choose. I think that wearing the head coverings is a personal choice that stemmed from religious teachings. If wearing the hijab was simply a religious choice, then I do not believe that a person would take it off in a situation that it is sinful to take it off in such as how Isma took her head covering off when with Eamonn. However, I may be wrong which is why I think this is a great research topic.
ReplyDeleteThis is super interesting, Heather. I too, am interested in why the different characters choose to wear different head coverings. You are definitely on to something with it revealing something about the characters' different personalities. I can't wait to hear more about what you find!
ReplyDeleteHey Heather! I love the connection you are already making with your topic and it's current and very unfortunate relevance in regards to female Muslim protests. It's great to see you mapping your ideas out and ordering the way you plan to research. I wish I could be as organized as you! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteA study of different styles and acceptances of head coverings through a personal lens connects well with themes throughout the book. Aneeka grew up in a very Muslim household, but clearly maintains autonomy in how she wears head coverings—this is shown when Aneeka tells Eamonn that she chooses who and when to remove her head covering. I'm also interested in the contrast between religious conformity and personal autonomy—and how women's rights fits into that dichotomy.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not completely informed about the culture around headwear for women in the middle east, so that is a very interesting topic. It can even relate to themes in the book of gender roles.
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