LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 15:6 June 2015
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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An Optimistic Evolution of Existence in Saffron Dreams
by Shaila Abdullah

Rabia Ashraf

Abstract

In the realm of emerging contemporary Pakistani writers, writing in English, Shaila Abdullah’s name shines as an epitome of exuberant writing style and purely Pakistani thematic considerations. Bestowed with the title of ‘Word Artist’ by critics, Abdullah uses her sharp and precise images to tear open the façade of the conventional practices a society nurtures. By probing into the psychology of her protagonists, Abdullah delineates different levels of struggles these women have to go through in order to establish an identity and disclose the true meaning of their existence. Arissa Illah’s journey in Saffron Dreams is unique in its own way. She gathers up all she is left with, after facing a great tragedy. She then, joins these bits and pieces of her life not leaving even for a moment, the hold of a subtle tinge of hope and positivity. This optimism makes her stand on her feet once again and understand the real meaning and purpose of her life. Her existence evolves through stages to acceptance and negation, making her a survivor who did not succumb to the circumstances of life.

Key words Shaila Abdullah, Saffron Dreams, identity of women, struggles.

Introduction

Saffron Dreams (2009) deals with a common tragic experience of facing the aftermath of the death a loved one in an uncommon way. The subject of death is considered from many different standpoints in literature from around the world as man faces death, deals with the death of a loved one or ponders upon the religious or philosophical significance of death. Shaila Abdullah explores an urge of figuring out a form of life from the chaotic framework of external circumstances and deciphers how through ways of psychological progressive development, struggle blesses the protagonist, Arissa with life. Abdullah believes that by an optimistic interpretation of the hardships of life and rejuvenation as a key to the acceptance of darker reality, Tragedy, be it the loss of a loved one who is the sum and substance of your life, no longer remains tragic.

As a voice from another Continent, Abdullah is in no way unaware of the prevalent issues for discussion that contemporary Pakistani society offers. She moves from the plight of Pakistani women, their heart touching experiences and crude attempts to hold up in society to a larger perspective where one Pakistani woman experiences widowhood, loneliness, single parenthood, lack of maternal love and other similar external and internal conflicts. Abdullah focuses upon the psyche of an Asian woman who is very traditional and bound by some set norms passed on from generation to generation. But, her exploration is not the one seeking pity and sympathy from the reader instead it shows the hidden mental and psychological strength of a Pakistani woman who can conquer all with her resolute and firm outlook towards life. By this thematic specificity, Abdullah states the notion that self actualization or self hood is not an end in itself but it is the initiator of hope to move forward in life.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Rabia Ashraf
M. Phil. English Literature - Kinnaird College Lahore
B.S. (Hons.) English Literature - Lahore College for Women University Lahore
Lecturer, English
COMSATS Lahore, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences - Postal Code: 54700
Defense Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore, Pakistan
rabiaashraf@ciitlahore.edu.pk
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