Reframing the colonial gaze: A postcolonial reading of 99 nights in Logar by Jamil Jan Kochai

Shehbaz Siraj; Mehak; Ihsan Ullah

doi:10.71085/sss.03.04.294

Authors

Shehbaz Siraj Ph.D Scholar, Department of English, Lincoln College University, Malaysia
Mehak M.Phil Scholar, Department of English, Qurtaba University, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan
Ihsan Ullah Ph.D Scholar, Department of English, Islamia College University, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.03.04.294

Keywords:

Deconstructing, 99 Nights in Logar, Afghanistan, Western, Dynamic Interpretation

Abstract

This article analyzes deconstructing the colonial gaze in 99 Nights in Logar penned by Jamil Jan Kochai. This paper focuses on the Western stereotype underpinning Afghanistan in its development of characters and the narrative structure. Jamil Jan Kochai disintegrates the formed image of Afghanistan by incorporating a multi-angled and fragmented approach. This also offers an in-depth picture of Afghan identity. The book presents figures who tend to battle with the Western Gaze and Afghan identity. This shows the internalization and resistance of the colonial power dynamics. This reverses the unbending and rigid hegemonic lens of the war-torn narrative of Afghanistan to reveal the affluent vibrant culture underlying it. This paper analyzes how the narrative of Kochai adds to the portrayal of Afghanistan to resist the stereotypes of West and offer a dynamic interpretation of Afghan society.