Self-Representation in Sara Suleri’s Meatless Days

Abstract

Women writings have special relationship with the genre of autobiography. Since autobiography is about self-life therefore, it not only captures the spirit of an age but the writer also makes an effort to establish her/his autonomy through singularization of her/his experiences. As a literary form it offers more space and freedom to women experiences. Hence, it has become the most appropriate form to portray women’s struggle for autonomy. Generally, this genre is chosen by women to express deference and resistance. Suleri’s ‘Meatless Days’ is also included in this category. Suleri’saccount of her life and family is highly relational and contextual. Therefore, Suleri views her ‘self’ in relation to familial and social roles. As a Pakistani woman Suleri earlier led a sheltered and protected life. She also throws light on the considerable pressuresthat women are subjected to in South Asian countries and the way kinship system affects the lives of women in many ways. Despite rejecting male hegemony Suleri interestingly celebrates motherhood and wifehood clearly. This paper seeks to examine the development of her ‘othered self’ into’ empowered self’. Her ‘self’ just like her text appears in pieces and fragments. It is after connecting the pieces that her ‘self’ can be reconstructed. Meatless Days is Suleri’s journey from ‘otherness machine’ to self-determination and actualization.