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Religious Symbols and Quest for Truth in Modern American Literature

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Religious Symbols and Quest for Truth in Modern American Literature Religious Symbols and Quest for Truth in Modern American Literature by Shahida Asghar Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan 2015 Religious Symbols and Quest for Truth in Modern American Literature SHAHIDA ASGHAR SUPERVISED BY: DR. RUKHSANA QAMBER A dissertation submitted to Area Study Centre, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in American Studies AREA STUDY CENTRE FOR AFRICA, NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA QUAID-I-AZAM UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN 2015 Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan CERTIFICATE This is to certify that we have read the dissertation entitled “Religious Symbols and Quest for Truth in Modern American Literature” submitted by Ms. Shahida Asghar. It is our judgment that it is of the sufficient standard to warrant its acceptance by the Quaid-i- Azam University, Islamabad for the Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in American Studies. Supervisor____________________ External Examiner____________________ External Examiner____________________ Director___________________ iii DEDICATION To my parents, my mentor Dr. Rukhsana Qamber, Saeed, Husna, and those who dare to plunge into perilous vortices iv Acknowledgements All praise is due to almighty ALLAH with His compassion and mercifulness to allow me finalizing this Ph.D. project. My humblest gratitude to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) whose way of life has been a continuous guidance for me. It was long journey to bring this thesis into its current form that was not possible without assistance, inspiration and guidance of several wonderful individuals — my thanks and appreciation to all of them for being part of my odeyssus to make this thesis possible. Foremost, I would like to express my profound admiration, almost reverence, to the one who has amazing attitude and substance of genius, my supervisor and mentor, Dr Rukhsana Qamber. I could not have asked for a better role model who is always inspirational, supportive, and patient. Her selfless time and care were sometimes all that kept me going. Thanks to her for undoing my mistakes and whenever I could not meet the deadlines. I hope to preserve this cycle of human and research values and the dreams that she has given to me. I would also like to thank Prof Werner Sollors from Harvard University whom I met in Japan at the Nagoya American Studies Summer Seminar in 2009. He always replied to my queries and was very considerate to spare precious time from his busy schedule to send me important medieval grail images. I also owe to my professors, Dr. Maqsood ul Hassan Nuri, Dr. Grace Clark and Dr. Noman Sattar for their lectures and discussions that opened new vistas to analyze American studies in new light. Dr. Noman was also very supportive to arrange my seminar, a prerequisite for dissertation submission. Very special thanks to a wonderful professor, an awe inspiring individual, the late Prof. Dr. Hans Frey for his insightful discussions, suggestions and belief in this dissertation. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven (Amen). I am also grateful to Mr. Annice Mahmood for sharing expertise, and the sincere and valuable guidance that he extended to me. I cannot forget the cooperation of Area Study Centre staff, and library staff that provided me with very important books at regular intervals during the achievement of this goal. I would like to appreciate my friend, Afia Tasneem Wasti, for being always willing to help and give her best suggestions. My deep and sincere gratitude to my family for their continuous and unparalleled love, help and support. I am forever indebted to my parents for giving me the opportunities and confidence that have made me who I am. They encouraged me selflessly to explore new v directions in life and seek my own destiny. My intellectual travels would not have been possible if not for them, and I dedicate all of my academic milestones to them. I am also indebted to my siblings who helped me in one way or the other to complete this thesis. Liaqat Bhai sent me some very important books from the United States, besides flagging me on with several useful discussions that helped me remain focused. Rafaqat Bhai and Safdar Bhai provided me unequivocal support throughout this project. Anwar Bhai’s encouraging and motivating attitude helped me gather courage to keep going in the most difficult times. Thanks also to my sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in- law and their children who have always been caring towards me and my infant daughter giving me positive energy through this venture. Heartiest gratitude to my caring husband, Saeed, who fueled my enthusiasm (and our car) by driving me two hours from Wah to Islamabad, and then patiently baby-sitting our daughter. I am sorry for not being able to provide him the desired company. I also acknowledge my respectable in-laws for everything they have done for me during the last few years. My father-in-law always remained very supportive. Very special thanks to my sweet little girl Husna, the softest point of my heart. Her innocent and pure love provided me with positive energy whenever I plunged into the abyss of despondency on achieving my quest. My love and longing for her are beyond words. Modern American literature has taught me that beyond life’s personal and professional hurricanes/cyclones in America/Pakistan the Truth is that while we may be fortunate to have peers and companions to help us find and carry the “fire” on the “yellow brick road,” our quest could descend into a maelstrom and not transform us enough to survive – unless we pass it on to the next generation, symbolized not only by Husna but also by my two young proofreaders: my wonderful niece Amna and my brilliant pupil Paras. vi Abstract The bulk of world literature comprises stories of tangible and symbolic quests and American literature is no exception to this general rule. The quest narrative dominates the American literary landscape and, on the surface, is founded on its history as a nation of immigrants seeking, above all, religious freedom. It would have been facile to state that this quest is for the American Dream, and it would have been just as easy to define this modern Dream as social equality and economic opportunity, or vice versa. After all, a prime purpose of the Mayflower project was to become free of medieval Europe’s pomp and show, most importantly in religious practices. However, the ubiquity of ancient symbols in the American quest narrative intrigued me. These symbols indicated hidden meanings that went beyond materialistic realization of America’s constitutional ideals. Exploration of the deeper meanings of quest narratives in modern America required plumbing symbolic depths. The vortex motif helped to go far beneath the surface meaning of the symbols encountered. This quest was both a vertical plunge and a horizontal journey towards a specific goal. Fascinatingly, the quest in the texts analyzed almost invariably ended at a destination that turned out to be its starting point. The hermeneutic cycle helped to explain the circularity of the quest. This study, therefore, set out to explore the nature of the American quest, to sift through the symbols dotting the literary terrain, to encounter a key symbol, to explore its religious content, and to fathom the significance of this symbol in modern American literature. A brief survey of modern American literature proved the presence of quest stories in almost all genres, from science fiction to the American literary canon. In many American narratives, obsession with apocalypse also combined well with the quest theme to make for great story telling. Importantly, they easily reincarnate as cinematic script. Apocalypse has riveted American attention after 9/11 but it also prevailed during the 20th century and earlier American literature produced along modern lines. Quests to survive and flourish invite inclusion of marginal voices, presenting equality of opportunity for blacks, women, the old and otherwise infirm, so essential to American narratives. The quest aspires to assume metaphysical properties. Its goal is an elusive symbol. Powerful symbols contain coded messages dating from ancient religions. In modern narratives they shed their religiosity. However, cult following reestablishes the symbol’s spiritual status. They embody eternal Truth. The Holy Grail exemplifies such powerful symbols. The grail icon is so prevalent in American society that most of its canonical writers are compelled to weave tales around the grail. This study suggests that American society has Americanized the grail, and to understand the United States one must also grasp the manifold meanings of its Holy Grail – there being no better place to start than traverse the modern American literary landscape. vii Table of Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... V Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... VII List Of Illustrations .................................................................................................................. IX List Of Tables ...............................................................................................................................X Section I: Preliminary Landscape .........................................................................................
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