REPRESENTING STRUGGLE FOR WOMEN EMANCIPATION IN FICTION:ACOMPARATIVE STUDY OF I AM THUNDER BY MUHAMMAD KHAN ANDSAFFRON DREAMS BY SHAILA ABDULLAH THROUGH FEMINISTICPERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The current study aimed to analyze the role and struggles of women in other cultures through fiction. By applying
theory of feminism on I Am Thunder (2018) and Saffron Dreams (2009), this study found themes of integrity,
individuality, religious and cultural identity, resilience and self-empowerment. This research has focused on
similarities between the characters’ battles for identity, self-determination, and sovereignty by analyzing both works
through the lens of intersectional feminism. Abdullah and Khan revealed how multiple layers of oppression intersect
and shape identities of female characters and how these females, Muzna and Arissa, resist and navigate the situations.
The nature of the current study is qualitative. Textual analysis and close reading methods are used. The primary texts
for this research were I Am Thunder (2018) by Muhammad khan and Saffron Dreams (2009) by Shaila Abdullah. The
journals, articles and several books related to theories have been studied for this research as secondary source. The
findings of the present study showed that challenging cultures and using one’s voice is important, feminist principles
are reflected in Muzna and Arissa’s paths to autonomy and self-determination. This study has provided a deeper
understanding of their experiences and their potential to ignite revolutionary societal change by investigating their
intersecting realities. In addition, further studies should be carried out, such as on hypocrisy of societies who give
freedom to only their women and their people.