Observing Representation of Women in Pakistani Context: A Postmodern Feminist Study of Kamila Shamsie’s Novel Salt and Saffron

Abstract

This study examines the idea of woman’s empowerment and all transitions
she can mold to get the ideal femininity for herself and the struggles required
to achieve the ideals of self-realization. The protagonist of the novel, Aliya
is a postmodern lady who is aware of her rights and social values and breaks
the stereotypes of society and family traditions after her struggles. She raised
her voice for all oppression and psychological suppression that was faced by
her family and then by her, as they had no knowledge and right to question
and fight for their values and rights. But Aliya as a postmodern lady questions
all fixed values and norms which are faced by Pakistani women.
Postmodernism is the era to question and challenge all existing ideas and
concepts which are set, fixed, and followed by society. This study will
deconstruct the binaries (violent hierarchies) of male/female, us/them, right/
wrong, dominating/dominate, masculine/feminine, and superior/inferior and
also questions the existing fixed cultural norms which are set for women only
to be followed throughout her life.