Eurocentric Polemic of Moniza Alvi: A Re-Orientalist Exegesis of the Poem The Country at My Shoulder

Abstract

The epistemological and ontological ideals of Orientalism were used to represent the ‘Others’ in order to understand them, classify them and reorder their experiences to expand and justify the colonial rule. Though Orientalism is the product of Eurocentric ideals, Dirlik (1996) by using Mary Loius Pratt’s idea of ‘contact zones’, proposes that the Asians are also involved in the construction of the Orient. This problem is well understood in the modern studies of Asian societies. This study analyzes the poetry of Moniza Alvi in order to mark and understand the implicit colonial discourse that is being perpetuated by her. The theoretical framework of re-Orientalism by Lisa Lau has been used which ascertains that even having a position of power, the elites of the East stick to the western discourse and place the West at the center. It is remarkable that these authors, instead of turning the table and getting on a proper way to normalize the self, faithfully follow the colonial discourse. Findings show that Alvi used the metropolitan discourse as integrated in her by the Eurocentric ideology. She follows the classic Orientalism standards as depicted by Edward Said and portrays Pakistani people as ignorant, gullible and making constant efforts in appropriation of the western language and the culture. This research holds considerable significance for students of literature, particularly those specializing in poetry analysis. It serves as an exemplary model for those interested in examining the relationship between poetic works of diaspora of South Asia and implicit colonial discourse.