RE-CONSTRUCTING STEREOTYPICAL IMAGE OF MUSLIM WOMEN: A CASE STUDY OF MEMOIR; DREAMS OF TRESPASS: TALES OF A HAREM GIRLHOOD BY FATIMA MERNISSI

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to show how Muslim female writers are re-constructing their stereotypical images in their autobiographies. For this purpose this research work critically analyzes a memoir of Fatima Mernissi; Dreams of Trespass: Tales of Harem Girlhood. Autobiographical writing is an open invitation to the readers to enter into author’s world of expressions.  Women, who are traditionally bound to remain in the private places, can make themselves visible to the outer world by self writings only.  Autobiographical writings are the main source for the resisting silence, making one’s story visible and entering into the public view.  In outside world, readers are introduced with the stereotypical suppressed image of Muslim women.  In this paper, Fatima Mernissi’s memoir is analysed by using the six categories of Reading Autobiographies discussed by Siodine Smith and Julia Watson in their book ; Reading autobiography: A guide for interpreting life narratives . This analysis will help to reconstruct the stereotypical image of Muslim women.