Postcolonial Elements in Muhammed Hanif’s A Case of Exploding Mangoes and Red Birds

Abstract

The present paper seeks to investigate the postcolonial elements in Muhammed Hanif’s celebrated works Red Birds (2018)  and A Case of Exploding Mangoes (2008). It aims to assess Colonial legacy in Pakistan and other Muslim states. It also aims to analyse the use of narrative strategies and literary techniques to challenge the popular colonial narrative. The theory of  Orientalism put forward by Edward Wadie Said in Orientalism (1978), and subalternity notion presented by Gayatri Spivak in her famous essay Can the Subaltern Speak?(1988) are employed as theoretical model to evaluate the selected text. The researcher has used qualitative research method for the study. Through purposive sampling technique, relevant texts have been selected for the present study. The findings of the paper declare that Post colonialism still exists in former western colonies. In Pakistan it has been experienced in the form of dictatorial reign as well. The unnecessary western intervention and desire for dominance particularly that of America is easily noticeable in the novels, on Pakistan or other Middle Eastern state. The scholar finds out the prejudiced and unfair Western narrative about the East. The western narrative presents a backward, irrational, chaotic, uncivilised image of the East, quite contrary to Western portrayal. The Western interference whether directly through war or indirectly in other ways results in long lasting turmoil, chaos and devastation for the war affected. It also exposes the inefficacy of war aids that turn out to be self-serving, ill planned and insensitive programs. The study emphasises that dictatorship is a kind of post colonialism that deprives people from their fundamental rights, like action speech and writing. The incapable judicial system caused General Zia-ul-Haq’s decline. The study has significance because it examines post colonialism in post colonized states through multiple means.