The Muslim Identity Dilemma and Identity Construction in Pulitzer Prize-winning Play Disgraced from an Orientalist Perspective

Abstract

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play Disgrace stands as a seminal work by Pakistani-American playwright Ayad Akhtar, vividly portraying the identity crisis faced by Muslims in Western societies following the 9/11 attacks. This paper employs Edward Said's theory of Orientalism as its analytical framework, examining the Western construction of Muslim otherness and its impact on subject-consciousness. Through
analysis of pivotal dialogues and scenes within the play, this paper demonstrates that Orientalist discourse not only shapes Western society's
stereotypical perceptions of Muslims but also profoundly influences the self-identity of Muslim subjects. Amir gradually descends into cognitive turmoil under the dual pressures of assimilationist forces and cultural exclusion. His identity collapse reveals the structural predicament
of Muslims in Western societies, where 'complete assimilation' proves unattainable.