Evolution and Narrative Shifting: A Study of Contemporary Fiction by Pakistani Female English Novelists

Abstract

This study explores the evolution of themes and narrative techniques in the works of Pakistani female writers of English novels belonging to different literary generations. Under the postcolonial and feminist parameters, it explores how the socio-cultural, postcolonial and sociolinguistic aspects bring about a change in the selection of subjects and narrative formation. The study makes attempt to find out the contrasts and similarities found in the thematic interests of previous writers, like Bapsi Sidhwa and Sara Suleri in contrast to the contemporary voices like Kamila Shamsie and Uzma Aslam Khan. The qualitative textual analysis of the data is carried on for an analysis of the case study of representative novels to examine the deviations in the representation of character, the narrative voice and linguistic idioms. The findings of the present research show a shift in the themes represented in the earlier fiction, focusing on themes like national identity, women and gender oppression to those of globalization, diaspora and self-realization in the contemporary fiction. Linguistic hybridization and narrative innovativeness characterize the contemporary novels as part of the changing cultural identities. The present study concludes that the Pakistani female writers of novels in English have substantially altered the term English Novel through the evolving genres of narration where gender, language and identity confront and/are negotiated locally and internationally which is ultimately contributing to the larger discourse of postcolonial feminist literature. The study may be used as a foundation to further inquire the topic selection by female novelists in this digital age.