02 Pages : 9-19
Abstract
The study of Hanif's historic novel "A
Case of Exploding Mangoes" (2008), involves interpreting history in the
light of new realities and reflecting on the cultural context. Hanif
effectively portrays the authentic historical context of Pakistani society,
allowing for a more insightful and creative interpretation of history. This
study examines the historical fiction "A Case of Exploding Mangoes"
(2008) by Hanif, employing the New Historicism theory. The objective of the
study is to analyze and evaluate literary texts in a critical manner, allowing
students to have a comprehensive understanding of the text. The study is a
qualitative analysis that applies Greenblatt's theory of "New
Historicism" (1980) to examine a text within its socio-cultural and
historical framework, including the cultural setting. The study found that
understanding a work within the context of socio-cultural factors leads to the
creation of more imaginative literary interpretations as a whole.
Key Words
Text
Interpretation, Historicism, History, Cultural Context
Introduction
The
literary work can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the sender
and recipient's circumstances (Combrink, 1984). Both the sender and the recipient are aware of
the varying perspectives on how to read a document, as well as how the context
of historical, social, political, and cultural events affects how the text is
understood and covers its meaning. According to Glasersfeld (1983),
interpretation is limited to literary studies. Text interpretation is an
experiment aimed at improving comprehension of the literary text as a whole. It
is also an experience for uncovering hidden meanings within the text.
Similarly, the work of Ghasemi et al. (2011)
claimed that there are three steps to interpretation: understanding and
observing the text itself, interpreting the text as a whole, and interpreting
appropriate knowledge and perception. Additionally, it bridges the gap between
what is said and understood by the speaker and the recipient.
In his book,
Iqbal (2015) asserts that Hanif's article
offers a critical perspective on General Zia, a prominent Pakistani leader who
manipulated the country's foundation and administrative framework under the
guise of Islamization, ultimately exerting control and causing its downfall.
Hanif's novel depicts Zia as a deceitful and untrustworthy leader, exposing the
harsh facts of his regime's oppressive rule. Hanif's novel delves into the
intricate dynamics of a state caught in the oppressive control of the
intermediate category and the dominant influence of metropolitan power. It also
explores the post-colonial presence of the Army in Pakistan, the enduring
impact of a historical agreement, and the complex dialogue between the
government of a developing nation and those of more advanced countries. The
nation is under the control of completely new leaders, and the idea of the
government is non-religious. Zia's current dissatisfaction with the state of
the world can be attributed to his developed perspective that humanity is
disheartened. In addition, the novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes"
(2008) depicted a new uprising that delayed Zia's inclination towards
exploitation during the early stages of his regime. In "A Case of
Exploding Mangoes" (p. 4), Hanif (2008) asserts that Zia's avarice
and the dominant middle class in Pakistan bear responsibility. Hanif's novel is
noteworthy due to its portrayal of Pakistan's "neo-colonial" history
and its exploration of color uniformity, all while maintaining a balanced
approach that avoids excessive emotional manipulation of the reader.
The
goal of the current study was to understand the cultural background of the text
and to encourage the reader to consider and interpret the historical narrative
in light of the text. The investigation of the text's interpretation in the
context of culture and history was the goal of the study. This work examines
the novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" (2008) critically using
Greenblatt's idea of "Historicism." The study used is based on
qualitative method and the researcher did a textual analysis to examine the
novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes."
Problem Statement
The aim of the
present study is to interpret the novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes"
(2008) in its socio-political and historical context. The study investigated
methods for interpreting literary texts and comprehending their overall
significance.
Research Questions
What is the
role of context of culture in A Case of Exploding Mangoes?
Significance of the study
The relevance
of the study is to comprehend the context of culture and the study will urge
the reader to think critically. The study will also allow the learner to grasp
how the text can be read, observed, and assessed as a whole.
Literature Review
Hassan (2016) explored that "A Case
of Exploding Mangoes by Hanif (2008)" is a present exemplar of
English language narration. Moreover, he examined important facets of
Pakistan's history, where the individual and collective awareness of people is
hidden and obscured, and the English language serves as a tool that encompasses
civic, literary, governmental, and global dimensions. In addition, he stated
that Hanif's writing style in English imbued his text with a distinct Pakistani
emotional impetus, and he adeptly employs the English language in his own unique
manner, given his mastery of it. Furthermore, he successfully incorporates wit,
humor, and satire into his writing. Awais (2014) supports this perspective by
arguing that "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" by Hanif portrays General
Zia's peculiar death from a postmodernist perspective, incorporating elements
of dark humor, satire, authorship, novelistic techniques, and mystic
naturalism.
The book "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" criticizes Zia's avarice
and the middle class that rules Pakistan. Zia was not oriented to exercise
restraint or to stretch the consciousness of the people in his nation, and the
period of time he governed was not good for the media. According to Siddiqa (2007), "the
journalists were whipped under sentences passed by the military courts,"
and the media crashed because Zia managed the country under the name of Islam,
which is why the media crashed and underlay the military. According to Tanvir
et al. (2014) research,
there are multiple examples of General Zia's botulism in A Case of Exploding
Mangoes. Furthermore, the text touches on Zia's character, and Zia as the chief
of staff of the army or, subsequently, as the leader of state. Hanif's work is
a genuine, helpful script that explains in detail the realities of Pakistani
government policies, military matters, and interpersonal disputes. Author
Mohammad Hanif, a Pakistani, is known for his masterful works that satirize the
military. As a former "Air Force officer," he possesses extensive
knowledge about the influence of soldiers. It is mysterious why he left the
military to pursue his career as a journalist and then gained fame as a writer.
According to Bhat (2014),
literary theory and criticism are as old as literature itself. Literary
criticism is the cerebral process of approximating, classifying, assessing,
comprehending, and appraising literary works. Additionally, critique is
creative in that it can comprehend the work of a literary artist and then
highlight pertinent points. In actuality, that was "meta-literature."
The well-known literary figures are the world's most prominent critics and
theorists. According to Kar (1995),
new interpreters in the United States have brought about a number of
significant changes to the technique of interpreting fictional texts. These
interpreters use anthropology, significant events, and important matters to
explain fictional texts and provide historical and literary suggestions.
Historians and interpreters alike use the literary interpretation method to
examine culture. Moreover, it has made significant contributions to emerging or
post-colonial countries. Anticipating the failure of new critical analysis to
break down and battle with the intricate base of the literary text, new
historicism emerged. The new analysts believed that historical or well-planned
opposition to literature existed. Consequently, place a high value on
employment's self-sufficiency in order to guard against changes and progress in
the external world.
The
New Historicism theory was established by Stephen Greenblatt and was published
in 1980. Greenblatt's theory places a strong emphasis on how historical events
should be interpreted from historical documents. Additionally, the crucial
approach of text interpretation represented by the new Historicism is strongly
linked to Greenblatt's essay "Resonance and Wonder," in which he
skillfully describes both the new Historicism and text interpretation.
Understanding the text's context and the situations it depicts is another goal
of text interpretation. The fundamental procedure for classifying, quantifying,
and sequentially analyzing every literary work in literature is known as "new
historicism." The history is brought back to relevance for the modern era.
The primary goal is to show critical literature that has been published in the
text and to disrupt the literary work in its historical context or at the
center of attention on a socio-cultural event.
It concentrates on significant historical and biographical events while
viewing the work as a whole within sociocultural traditions.
Research Methodology
Qualitative
research methods are utilized in this study. Astalin (2013) states that one common method for performing
qualitative research is the qualitative mode of inquiry. When it comes to
structuring the research, qualitative research designs are quite versatile and
flexible. Furthermore, Ospina (2004)
contended that full counsel cannot be adequately provided by qualitative
research designs due to the extensive review of frameworks that are required.
Symbolic components, dynamic characters, and augmented elements centered on qualitative
techniques are all part of it. It covers multiple layers of phenomena. When we
do in-house qualitative research to probe the enduring complexity of
leadership, we are engaging in the qualitative mode of inquiry. In an effort to address pressing issues in
modern research, this descriptive study set out to provide answers to several
challenging problems. In this study, we look at the cultural context of
Mohammad Hanif's 2008
book "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" and how Historicism relates to the
text. The investigator gave her stamp of approval to both the inductive notion
of the present investigation and the job's qualitative style of inquiry. The
researcher analyzed the lines of Hanif's 2008 novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes"
according to the study's aims, drawing on Greenblatt's theory of New
Historicism (1980). The data for the present study is derived from this work.
Theoretical Framework
My study's
theoretical sources are taken from "A Case of Exploding Mangoes"
which is a book authored by Hanif. This inquiry uses Greenblatt's New
Historicism ideas to study the book "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" as
a thesis and the content analysis 1980. They believe to enable individuals to
learn from texts to examine them in terms of the past, events, society,
politics, and culture one needs to reinterpret the past. A few examples from
the novel "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" reveal some evidence in
support of their past. To answer my these study questions, I conduct a textual
or thematic analysis of my data following Greenblatt’s New Historicism 1980
framework. Analogous to New Criticism, New Historicism's principles date back
to 1980. As the theory has it, every historical work includes socio-cultural
occasions, context-dependent data about occurrences, and fundamental concepts
required for a holistic analysis of literature. The 2008 novel entitled A Case
of Exploding Mangoes by Hanif is one of the most powerful examples of how
conception allows for reimagining facts. Serialized novels like A Case of
Exploding Mangoes inspire one to see cultural environments and times as the
underlying, incorporated moments of the pre-modern theory. Greenblatt's theory
of historicism suggests that a central feature of historicism is the text being
studied in its socio-cultural and historical context. In various ways, this
enables generating knowledge of the past and offering new interpretations by
moving the text from one context to another. This view has been appropriately
used in this study when analyzing "A Case of Exploding Mangoes," a
novel published in 2008.
Textual Analysis
The aim of the current study
is to investigate the representation of culture, history, and politics in the
"Case of Exploding Mangoes. The narrative is delivered through the
fictional character Ali Shigri, who tells the story of the untrustworthy leader
General Zia-ul-Haq. Zia-ul-Haq manipulated his people in the name of Islam,
using it as a means to maintain his political power. However, he was more concerned
with his own image and personal interests rather than being genuinely
religious. He would read the Holy book for the purpose of preaching, rather
than seeking a true understanding of the Quran and its teachings. Hanif
analyzes the previous incident involving the Army Chief General and the
President of Pakistan.
The analyst conducts content
analysis on the data and interprets the structure of Hanif's (2008) novel. Specific lines of the
novel are selected that are closely related to the theme of history, society,
and culture, demonstrating the impact of cultural context on the literary
works.
"Does he
genuinely believe that using profanity towards one's mother, even when
expressed with great intensity, retains any significance when you are several
weeks away from the President's yearly evaluation and attaining the rank of
commissioned officer?" (p.18)
The subsequent
excerpt pertains to Shigri's statement. He employed colloquial language. The
non-literary text conveys the underlying meaning of the text, even though it
does not prioritize formal language. Hanif (2008) introduced these words to
provide context, and readers have since been utilizing them to interpret the
text more efficiently.
“The recitation
of the Quran and the performance of the national song had concluded.” (p.09)
Cultural and
historical contexts are relevant to the lines that have been mentioned. At the
start of each day, our culture and society put our sociocultural practices on
display through the recitation of the national anthem and the Holy Book. Hanif (2008) depicts Asian culture and
historical events in his co-text, and we still follow historical customs like
reciting the Quran and the national anthem.
"The room
was minimally furnished with a standard wooden army-issue double bed. On one
side of the bed, there was a stack of morning newspapers, and on the other
side, there was a glass of milk covered with an embroidered napkin.” (p.35)
This comment pertains to the decor of General
Zia-ul-Haq's personal quarters, which serves as a manifestation of his
self-fashioning and untrustworthy leadership. The writer depicts Zia's opulent
lifestyle during his time as a leader, highlighting his religious persona as a
deliberate act of self-presentation. The writer also portrays the General of
the Army's private bedroom decor, revealing the hypocrisy of a leader who lives
luxuriously while his people endure poverty.
"Are you
familiar with Sun Tzu's famous quote?" By exercising patience and waiting
for your enemy, you have already achieved victory in half of the battle.”
(p.53)
The following
lines contain code words that represent the previous world. These code words
indicate that something significant has occurred, suggesting that you have
already achieved a significant portion of your objective. Bannon's statement to
Shigri implies that he possesses knowledge that can resolve half of Shigri's
problem. Words that reflect the past can have an impact on the present and can
bring about changes in the world. It implies that there are still remnants of
the past that have an impact on the present.
During a short
interval, the image of General Zia's face is seen in the video clip, serving as
the final recollection of a much-photographed individual. The central split in
his hair shimmers in the sunlight, his remarkably white teeth gleam, and his
mustache perform its usual subtle movements for the camera, however as the
camera zooms out, it becomes evident that he is not displaying a smile. By
observing attentively, one can discern that he is experiencing a certain level
of discomfort. He is walking in a manner that resembles that of a constipated
man. The user's text is a single-page document.
Hanif (2008) portrays the past by
reimagining significant moments, such as General Zia's last moments of distress
and agitation. Although these moments actually occurred in the past, the writer
creatively reimagines them, depicting Zia's mustache performing a small dance
for the camera while he is in a state of upset. Additionally, the writer
describes Zia walking with a troubled mind, comparing his movements to those of
a constipated man. This obviously demonstrates that the writer is skillfully
recreating historical events in the current time period through the use of
innovative settings and creative techniques. These sentences embody the
philosophy by recontextualizing and introducing new perspectives to the
historical narrative.
"Ensure
that the hundred-rupee bills are in pristine condition." The elderly women
have a strong affinity for the aroma of newly printed money. The Ministry of
Social Welfare was instructed to prepare three hundred widows who were
appropriately attired for the event." (p.146)
General Zia's
donations to poor widows were motivated by political considerations rather than
a genuine religious perspective. Throughout history, leaders like Zia have
often provided assistance to widows and orphans as a means to maintain their
leadership and political conditions, rather than out of modesty and kindness.
This indicates that Zia's actions were not driven by a sincere commitment to
his people, but rather by a desire to secure his political position. Firstly,
he stated that a donation of one hundred rupees was to be made to assist
widows. Second, he brought up the fact that the gift amount was brand new as if
to say that low-income widows would find the hundred rupee note neat and
original. His betrayal and disloyalty are plainly shown here. The third point
is that he wanted the widows to look nice, even though most widows are poor and
can't afford nice clothes. If Zia truly intends to donate to the poor, it is
unnecessary for them to be well dressed, as the purpose of the donation is not
to benefit those who are fashionably attired. The following sentences align
with the opinion that the historical text is renowned for its depiction of the
natural political circumstances, which Hanif also employs in his writing to
portray Zia as a disloyal individual who prioritizes maintaining his political
status rather than being considerate and compassionate towards his impoverished
citizens.
“Eleven years
ago, shortly before leading his men in Operation Fairplay, which removed Prime
Minister Bhutto and installed him as the country's leader, he happened to come
across the verse "He it is who hath made you regents in the earth"
while reading the Quran. After two years, while facing pleas from world leaders
to spare Bhutto from being executed and signing the order for his murder, Zia
sought guidance from the sacred scripture and came upon the verse: "And
the guilty behold the fire and know that they are about to fall therein, and
they find no way of escape." (p.34)
Hanif (2008) successfully
re-contextualizes the historical events of Zia and Bhutto, showcasing his
ingenuity in depicting the past. In the past, during Zia's regime, Bhutto was
ordered to be hanged. Hanif, in his description of the past, presents it in a
realistic manner but also creatively reimagines it. He first represents the
actual reality and then presents a new reality by recontextualizing it.
According to Hanif, before the decision to hang Bhutto, Zia read the Holy Quran
and found the verse that supported his decision. Zia believed that Bhutto posed
a threat to his leadership, and therefore it was preferable to hang him. Two
years prior, Zia had found a clue in the holy book indicating that Bhutto had
granted him authority, and two years later, he found another clue suggesting
that the same person who had caused his rise to power was now the cause of his
downfall. The author employs this statement to contextualize the past in
accordance with the theory.
"The fort in the historic city of
Lahore holds great historical significance." The construction was
undertaken by the Mughal King Shahjahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. His own
son, acting with cruelty, put him in prison, resulting in an early retirement.
I have not personally visited the fort, but I have observed it in a shampoo
advertisement." (p.95)
Lahore has a
rich history, with numerous ancient Mughal buildings constructed by King
Shahjahan. It is renowned as a prominent historical outpost in Pakistan, and
the presence of these monuments has earned Lahore the title of a historical
city. King Shahjahan, a renowned Mughal monarch, was imprisoned by his own son.
The lines depict Lahore, a historical city, and its rich history under the rule
of King Shahjahan, a Mughal king. In his novel, Hanif (2008) presents the past as it was,
but also reimagines and recontextualizes the historical events. The novel
portrays Lahore as a city with a historic fort, built by Shahjahan, which is
now featured in a commercial shampoo advertisement on television. Additionally,
the novel includes the imprisonment of King Shahjahan for premature withdrawal,
a narrative element that aligns with Greenblatt's (1980) theory of representing
the past with both accuracy and creativity.
"Life is
Like That" has a brief narrative consisting of five lines about an
individual.” (p.51)
The
interpretation of the tale in Hanif's text is both powerful and captivating,
presenting a combination of comic and tragic elements. The narrative is deeply
symbolic and engages the reader, depicting life as a five-line tale within a
historical context. The text effectively represents the past, with its strong
dramatic elements.
"Life is
under the control of Allah." (p.69)
The text explores
the historical context and the writer's interpretation of it. The writer
employs powerful and dramatic language to depict the significance of the past
context. These words carry profound meaning in the text, emphasizing the
inevitability of certain facts such as death and life, which are under the
control of a higher power. The decisions regarding the granting of life and the
occurrence of death lie solely in the hands of God, and no one has the power to
alter these immutable truths.
"A change
or for a change." (p.49)
In the second
OIC statement regarding Colonel Shigri's death/suicide, it is suggested that
his demise might lead to some form of transformation or that his death itself
represents a transformation. When you encounter a situation where you are
unable to accomplish something, it implies the need for a modification.
However, if you are unable to make that modification, you may opt for a drastic
transformation. This transformation requires sacrificing oneself in order to
bring about the desired change. This statement reflects the political dynamics
of the time represented in the novel.
"Evolution
occurs rapidly in desert environments." (p.35)
General Zia made
a humorous remark to his wife, suggesting that infertile things develop
rapidly. This implies that the First Lady quickly adjusted to her new role as
the president's wife, resulting in changes to her life and lifestyle. This
statement reflects the theory that strong comic and sensational tragic elements
are crucial in historical novels, as they captivate the reader.
“Subsequently,
forensic specialists employed by Lockheed will reconstruct the fragments of the
wrecked aircraft and conduct simulations in an effort to unravel the enigma
surrounding the sudden descent of a highly capable C130 aircraft, which
occurred a mere four minutes after it had taken off.” (p.02)
The analysis of
the incident involving the C130 aircraft, which crashed shortly after take-off,
aims to determine the cause of the crash. The plane was carrying several
high-profile individuals, including General Zia, the President of Pakistan, the
US ambassador, and others. The investigation will determine whether the crash
was accidental or an act of assassination. The forensic specialist aimed to
unravel the enigmatic crash of the C130 aircraft. In his 2008 work, Hanif
provides an analysis of a historical event involving a military aircraft that
crashed shortly after takeoff. Hanif aims to uncover the truth behind this
accident and presents his interpretation to the readers. This interpretation
aligns with the main principle of Historicism, which involves examining the
interpretations of historians regarding mysterious events in history.
"The First
Lady performed a few poems, gently blew on the milk, and placed it on his side table,
fully aware that he had no intention of consuming it. "She would say, 'May
you have a long life.'" (p.35)
The cultural context in the following lines
highlights the desire of every woman to ensure the longevity of her husband's
life. As a typical woman, she engages in the practice of reciting verses on
water or milk for her life partner, with the intention of safeguarding him from
any difficulties. She fervently prays to Allah for the resolution of all his
troubles and protection from his adversaries. Similar to the First Lady, who,
despite being the wife of the president, remains rooted in her cultural beliefs
and seeks the long life of her life partner. She is aware of an unusual
occurrence affecting her husband, prompting her to recite these verses on his
milk, in the hope that they will serve as a means for God to safeguard him from
enemies and troubles. This demonstrates the Pakistani socio-cultural context in
history, particularly in relation to the political climate, which aligns with
Greenblatt's theory (1980).
"General
Zia perceives the aircraft descending, unfastens his seatbelt, and rises to a
standing position. He suddenly realizes that the time has come to assert his
authority and show the buggers who are in control. He believes it has been
eleven years. Is it possible to govern Allah's followers for a duration of
eleven years without the support of Allah?" (p.358)
The text
explores the circumstances leading up to the plane crash involving General Zia
and Hanif's imaginative reconstruction of the events. Hanif envisions General
Zia reflecting on his past and the realization that his leadership was
sustained through his own efforts rather than divine intervention. The writer
exposes the truth about General Zia's lack of true religious devotion,
suggesting a reinterpretation of historical events with altered realities. The
writer also analyzes the historical events and the interpretations provided by
historians in order to uncover new insights about significant previous
occurrences.
“General Zia
ul-Haq retrieved the photocopied article labeled New York Times from the pile
of his morning newspapers and signed it. Once more, Blind Zaniab appeared, with
her head and face covered by a white dupatta, and her eyes concealed behind a
low-cost pair of plastic sunglasses.” (p.169)
The lines
exemplify the principles of Historicism, with the initial aspect being the
cultural setting. Furthermore, the writer analyzes the historical occurrences,
and additionally, the political circumstances of the culture in which the blind
girl adorns a dupatta on her head and conceals her face, aligning with the
customary Pakistani culture. This interpretation has been published in a
globally recognized publication. Hanif subsequently examines the historical
circumstances encompassing the blind girl and the repercussions of this view.
General Zia, in reaction to the article published in the international
magazine, responds to the situation of the blind girl with the intention of
portraying himself as a loyal leader and preserving his political standing. Zia
manipulates the case of the blind girl, Zaniab, to further his political agenda
instead of pursuing justice on her behalf.
“The arrival was
sufficiently covert that even the air traffic controller, accustomed to the
entrance of American military aircraft at unconventional times, was unaware
that he was communicating with a flight of high importance. As the pilot
received respectful orders, he cynically anticipated the arrival of another
aircraft carrying alcoholic beverages and pork products for the American spies
stationed at the US Embassy.” (p.88)
General Zia said that he rules Pakistan
in the name of Islam and pretended himself a religious person, who followed the
doctrines of Islam, then why did he show so much inclination towards the US
ambassador and Bill Casey? Why the Bill is so important to Zia even though he
pretends himself a religious person, then why does he shower so much importance
on the non-Muslims? This is probably due to his position as a political leader
and if he did not give them a response, things would become difficult for him
to sustain his position. This unveils Zia's hypocrisy he was wearing a mask of
religion for his own benefit. Some detractors describe General Zia as a
hypocrite, portraying him as a religious person in public but behaving
differently in private. These statements unequivocally exemplified the
principles of Historicism.
Findings and Discussion
The study examined
the aim of the research through the textual analysis of Hanif's novel "A
Case of Exploding Mangoes" (2008). Furthermore, I examined the cultural
milieu in relation to the idea of historicism (1980), which posits that the
interpretation of a literary work is shaped by its sociocultural and historical
circumstances, as well as the reader's prior knowledge. Comprehending the
literary text is unattainable without prior knowledge of the text's background.
The background understanding of the text involved revisiting and reimagining
history. The writer depicted various socio-cultural aspects of Pakistani
society, including the recitation of the Quran and the National anthem.
Additionally, the text incorporated other historical cultural practices, such
as the First Lady reciting Quranic verses in milk to ensure her husband's longevity
and protection.
Zaniab's photo in
the international article depicted the societal and historical backdrop through
her act of covering her head with a dupatta. Hanif effectively conveyed the
the historical and
cultural context of the book and skillfully demonstrated the use of the
Historicism thesis (1980). Hanif's text provides an account of the traditional
context, detailing the initial discussion between Qadi and General Zia
regarding a governmental issue with restrictions. It also highlights General
Zia's argumentation in the blind Zaniab case with the Saudi Qadi, outlining his
actions and the socio-political challenges that emerged during his leadership.
Although Hanif did not prioritize formal language, he employed specific terms
in his work to vividly depict Pakistani culture. For instance, in Ali Shigri's
line, "fuck your fucking mother," Hanif utilized non-literary
language strategically to enhance the interpretation of the text. The
figurative language used in "A Case of Exploding Mangoes" (2008)
effectively depicted the cultural background and socio-historical events. The
book also stresses the significant cultural context of the burqa and the purdah
system, which are emblematic of both traditional and Islamic culture among
Pakistani women. Nevertheless, in contemporary society, these elements are
being implemented through the dismantling of cultural conventions and
traditions.
Nevertheless, the study also looked at how Historicism relates to text interpretation in the book and how to understand various theoretical facets via the prism of the text. As a result, the study offers several examples from the book, such as Zia's account of Bhutto's passing, which also illustrates the idea that interpreting the past entails reinterpreting the past. In his text, Hanif deconstructs history in a very inventive way. He interrupts previously significant events, such as the crash of General Zia's superfit C130, which occurred no more than four minutes after take off. The writer also skillfully shapes the cultural context to improve the interpretation of the text, since no literary work can be understood in the absence of background context.
Conclusion
All things
considered, the study came to the conclusion that Hanif had expertly molded the
cultural context of the text to improve and enhance the way in which the text
can be interpreted. The historical events as presented in the text make it
simple for readers to understand the context on which it is based. The text
reading in its sociocultural and historical context also allows readers to
revisit the past and analyze significant historical events. As a result, the
study offers several examples from the book, such as Zia's account of Bhutto's
passing, which also illustrates the idea that interpreting the past entails
reinterpreting the past. New Historicism also claimed that while it represented
history as it was, it also characterized the new realism in it by placing it in
a different context. The primary characteristic of the new Historicism is its
interpretation of significant historical events to enable more accurate
readings of literary texts. Furthermore, the cultural context is crucial to
understanding the book as a whole. In the 2008 book "A Case of Exploding
Mangoes," Hanif skillfully structured the various facets of the text's
cultural background to enable effective text interpretation. Historicism and
Hanif have a strong link.
Recommendation
A Case of Exploding Mangoes, a Pakistani book released in 2008, offers numerous avenues for further investigation. The novel A Case of Exploding Mangoes can be studied by future scholars as a comparative analysis between South Asian and American novels. In addition, scholars in the future may examine the intriguing A Case of Exploding Mangoes from a religious standpoint. Additionally, the novel A Case of Exploding Mangoes (2008) and the self-supporting framework of society can be critically examined in the context of structuralism and orientalism, respectively.
References
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Cite this article
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APA : Mengal, K., & Khanda, G. (2023). A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism". Global Language Review, VIII(IV), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2023(VIII-IV).02
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CHICAGO : Mengal, Kiran, and Gul Khanda. 2023. "A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism"." Global Language Review, VIII (IV): 9-19 doi: 10.31703/glr.2023(VIII-IV).02
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HARVARD : MENGAL, K. & KHANDA, G. 2023. A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism". Global Language Review, VIII, 9-19.
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MHRA : Mengal, Kiran, and Gul Khanda. 2023. "A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism"." Global Language Review, VIII: 9-19
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MLA : Mengal, Kiran, and Gul Khanda. "A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism"." Global Language Review, VIII.IV (2023): 9-19 Print.
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OXFORD : Mengal, Kiran and Khanda, Gul (2023), "A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism"", Global Language Review, VIII (IV), 9-19
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TURABIAN : Mengal, Kiran, and Gul Khanda. "A Critical Study of Text Interpretation in the Novel, "A Case of Exploding Mangoes in the Light of Historicism"." Global Language Review VIII, no. IV (2023): 9-19. https://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2023(VIII-IV).02