Islam’s Narrative in American Literature

Abstract

This paper examines representations of Islam and the Near East in works of American writers from the 17th- 21st centuries. It argues that American cultural views of Islam and “the East,” are constructed upon fear of the “other,” a desire to dominate, and popular yet uninformed ideas about Islam and Muslim peoples. Tobias Wolff’s (2008) short story titled “White Bible” centers on Maureen Casey, who teaches at a Catholic high school in upstate NY. Maureen does not derive any satisfaction from her work as a teacher, and after drinking at a bar one evening after work she is abducted in the parking lot by the father of her student Hassan. Thinking she is the victim of a car-jacking, Maureen offers her abductor money. He refuses. “Please,” she said. “What do you want?” (292). Abu Hassan answers, “This is not about sex…That is what you are thinking, of course. That is the American answer to everything” (ibid.). .