Introduction
Comparative analysis is a vital tool in presenting an effective and efficient manner of presentation between any two or more impetuses of an event. It is even more imperative in the sense that subsequent acute analyses can be facilitated and done based on it (Demand media 2014 p.1). Ideally, the presentation of a comparative analysis attempts to bring forth a clear and rather more pronounced distinction that is inherent between two or even more stimuli. Accordingly; a more precise conclusion is more often than not deduced as a culmination of this exercise.
Thus; it is in light of the above that this essay seeks to present a comparative analysis in respect to the two articles, Ouyang Yu’s “History is Now Facing Their Direction” and Tim Blair’s “Last drinks in Lakemba: Tim Blair takes a look inside Sydney’s Muslim Land”. Moreover, the essay will adopt the precise similarities and the contrasts, which are inherent within the two articles as provided. All these are in respect to quite a number the ideas that relate to post-colonialism. The ideas encompass otherness, mimicry, ambivalence, essentialism, orientalism, and resistance among others in a view to present a complete, and more comprehensive comparative analysis of the two articles.
The comparative analysis phase
This phase will entail a detailed scrutiny of the two articles in the format as follows:
Otherness: This is an accomplishment that involves the social and psychological fashion in which a group of persons excludes the other groups. Its description from its exact wording, “other “further points to the allusion of the individual or rather the group being really dissimilar to it. Most significant is the fact that the stereotypic images as a congruent element are often achieved. It is a feat that is evident in both the articles, though in different qualities and due measures. In the former article, some lines denote unlikeness to a substantial extent.
It is the case in both the two articles. The former article is moderately demonstrated within it. It highlights on the western nations’ supremacy over the rest of the world. This is promoted by the fact that the whole world now faces the west, with more description of the sun rising on the west, which is ideally a feat to expound on the dependence on the west’s complex and better world.
In the second article, this is even more palpable; the description of the setting (Lakemba’s location) within the plot development of the article. There is a clear perception of the Arab's superiority over other cultures. It is effectively propagated by the ways of life that are described by the belief of the people within the setting. The Islamic religion and more so the cultures are definitely presented as being the most superlative in the sense that others can only be second to it.
Attest to Vollmann (2004 p.90), the sex element is effectively brought up by the allusion to the book by Hakim within the plot development of the former article. The book tends to elevate the male sex above the female sex, as it describes the female sex to be less intelligent, and subordinate to the male sex, which is deemed brilliant and even more ordained by the Most High being.
Ambivalence: This subtle accomplishment is also manifested within the articles that are provided, though in unlikely mannerisms. The elements of the ambiguity play evidently throughout both the texts in severe contrasting instances. Nonetheless, the inferior’s viewpoint is categorically insignificant in both instances, with extreme attention to the superiority of the various races and nations as evident in the two articles.
In the former article, the superlative nature of the western countries seems to be overriding all other cultures and geographic locations. There is a vivid attempt by the author of the article to render the west as being the best in the world. There is a vivid encouragement to focus more on the psychological geography as the only way since the stimuli is definite, with no options about it.
On the other hand, the former article presents an acute demonstration of the ambivalence idea within its context. The Arabic culture with more emphasis on the religious aspect is greatly expounded on in this case. There is a manifested elevation of the Arabic culture above any others in the Lakemba setting, within the article. Hence; it is extremely one-sided entirely.
It is heightened further by the insults that the young non-Muslim lady was hurled at by the young men from their cars. Her online confirmation of the meaning of the word, “sharmuta” in Arabic was even more disheartening to the effect that it meant a prostitute. Moreover, there is an allusion in one of the three books that have been referred to toward the end of the article that the Muslims should not love and support the non-believers. In essence, this refers to the stature of the religion within the setting to be more superlative to any other.
Finally, the theme of violence that seems inherent in the latter article props this idea of ambivalence. There is an insinuation in relation to the Islamic riots of 2012 ended up in central Sydney having begun in Lakemba and surrounding suburbs. The point is that the was an evidenced seething young Muslims forming their plans in relation to that with the inclusion of printing signs that read “Behead all those who insult the prophet. It climaxes the belief in the religion to be more superior to others despite the persons prophesying it being surrounded by other religions in the immediate neighborhoods.
Essentialism
This idea is surely manifested in the two articles that have been provided for the comparative analysis. From its precise description, it denotes the substantiality of something, the individual being or even common properties shared by a group. Factually, the feat attempts to bring out the specifics of the practices of various groups that are responsible for their remarkable identities. In the context of the two articles, there are visible properties or rather characteristics that are held by the entities depicted within both articles.
In the former article, definite citation to the serenity and perceived success of the western world is something worth taking note. It is explained by the author’s demonstration of the universal attention to the west through the lines such as, “all run westwards as minds and bodies do”. It is a stronger indicator in the belief that the perceived superlative nature is a feat that is precisely relevant, and worth considering. The line, “a post-modernized weather reins supremely blue dreams” is a consequent pointer to the effect that the west is purely marked with acute positivity, and welcomes the whole world to recognize that as a real element.
On the other hand, the latter article reveals this idea in even more explicit custom. The clear-cut nature of the Arabic cultures and beliefs play well as presented by the author of the article. The author paints more to the Muslim religious aspect of the monoculture within the Lakemba setting. The evidence of the black flag being waved by the crowd of young men outside the Lakemba hotel while chanting, “Palestine is Muslim land” is indeed an essential and distinguishing feat being presented. What is more is the description of the foods being prepared in the hotels in the article’s plot setting. They tend to allude to Lebanese dishes and a definite La Roche and Al Aseel that are definitive association with the Arabic culture.
Presence of the Islamic Bookshop that is located across the road from Lakemba Hotel further adds to the necessary impetuses, which define strength of the culture that is dominant in the article’s plot setting of Lakemba. It goes without noting the fact that such bookshops exist in areas that have a strong religious presence associated with them. Thus; this fits the description in an apt fashion.
Mimicry: This is another idea or rather, impetus that manifests itself in the comparative analysis of the two articles as availed. From its description in relation to post-colonialism theory, it denotes a significant adaptation to some influence, more so in a cultural context. In the former article, the author seems to be hailing the western world as the new destination of focus for the whole world. It is a voluntary attempt to send a message to the reader to appreciate the west’s influence and dominance that is worth emulating in the process. The line, “a white self having included all the colors” denotes this supposition further (Blair, 2014 p.67). It paints a picture of the assimilation of the western culture’s influence by persons and groups from other parts of the world.
The latter article is epitomized with insignificant instances of the idea of mimicry. Monoculturalism is the overriding feat revealed; with assimilation to the cultures of the Middle East countries. These are, in fact, related to it hence the insignificance.
Orientalism: Arguably, it aspect is the most inclusive as compared to all the others in respect to this comparative analysis essay. From its definitive element, the concept is ideally shown in both articles. In the former article, the author presents a view of the west as predicted. Since the concept of orientalism seems to incline in favor of the European view, the article is an apt reflection of this. Throughout the article, it is common for a reader to adduce positivity being the main message in accordance to the western countries and subsequent nations. Significant allusion to the supposition global look towards the west further adds flesh to the article in relation to this observable feat.
Contrastingly, this is not the same scenario as per the latter article considering the fact that the author whose author seems a westerner from his name. Nonetheless; the author paints the image of the Lakemba inhabitants in a manner likely to suggest that he strongly associated with the views of the European nations. These may questionably be attributed to the bias on perceptions concerning the Arabs and by extension, the Muslim religion and cultures by the western nations (Holland, 2010 p.56). It is further presents an ironic situation for such a small setting of Lakemba that is surrounded by dominant wider Australian cultures to be more radical as presented in the article.
It further beats logic in the descriptions of the inhabitants of the plot’s setting to be violent in nature as often held by the west in accordance to the Arabs. In keeping with Ouyang (2011 p.43), it is notwithstanding the fact that they're being in a different geographical setting where a more cordial association between them and their immediate surrounding ought to be resounding. The author portrays Arabic intolerance through the events such as the aggressive act of the young men sometimes shouting “sharmuta” at the non-Muslim young woman from their cars. It is undeniably extreme and intolerant as demonstrated.
Resistance: This idea is expressed in a somewhat little manner in both the article. In the former article, the concept is insignificantly demonstrated by the article’s author as he supposes no form of this concept in whatsoever way.
In the latter article, the concept is ominously pronounced all over the article. It is manifest that the cultural aspect of the habitants of the article’s setting is actually not embracing serious changes to their way of life. Meyer (2006 p.67) argues that they are a small monocultural entity that seems to have comfortably shrugged off assimilation or even corruption of their culture by the immediate larger Australian surrounding. They seem to propagate their culture, with more worth pegged on their Muslim religion as the dominant incentive to that effect.
Conclusion
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