What's in a Name?

While reading Amy Waldman’s, The Submission, I often found myself annotating, in capital letters, IDENTITY. Therefore, while scanning through my annotations, I began to consider a person’s identity. More specifically, I asked myself: who defines a person? At first, the answer seemed simple: a person’s choices and actions shape their character, so clearly, a person defines himself. However, for characters such as Mohammad Khan and Laila, societal judgments and prejudice shape the perception of their character. For example, Laila reveals that following conflict in Iran, her birthplace, her mother told her “not to tell anyone” her nationality (197). Waldman highlights Laila’s mother’s warning tone to emphasize that society’s prejudice and fear of other cultures affects an identity. Furthermore, the novelist recognizes that Laila must live in fear of the consequences of society’s misconception of her character due to prejudice. Clearly, the mother’s fear of the public’s bias emphasizes that society does play a role in defining an identity. Similarly, during an interview about his life following the memorial controversy, Mohammad states that he had left America for India to live where “the name Mohammad wouldn’t be a liability” (330). Waldman highlights the taxing diction of “liability” to create an oppressive tone and to emphasize that due to Americans’ prejudice towards his name, Mohammad could not shape his own identity. Furthermore, the novelist stresses the injustice of Mohammad’s identity, as prejudice does not define a person’s true character. Overall, The Submission made me reconsider how I define my own identity. Although I like to believe that I alone identify myself, I now realize that I must accept the preconceptions of others and like Mohammad and Laila, I must find success despite judgment. 

Zahira's Choice

Following September 11, 2001, many Americans feared Muslims. Anxiety overwhelmed them as many Americans misinterpreted the goals of Islam, a peaceful religion. Consequently, fear and anger escalated into hate crimes aimed toward Muslims as 1,200 more occurred in 2001 than in 2000. Accordingly, in Amy Waldman’s 2011 novel, The Submission, Zahira Hussain, a victim of a hate crime, discusses Islam with her attacker, Sean, who pulled off her head scarf. However, Zahira attempts to educate Sean about Muslims, rather than criticize him for his actions, and therefore fosters a greater understanding of her faith. For example, upon hearing Sean’s distaste for her wearing of a head scarf in America, Zahira states, “‘It’s my choice’” (204). Waldman emphasizes Zahira’s choice to wear the scarf to stress the inaccuracy of the assumption that Muslim women in America do not have the freedom of choice. Furthermore, Waldman indirectly characterizes Zahira as independent, and criticizes Americans who do not respect the girl’s choice to express her spirituality. Similarly, when discussing Islam’s concept of the afterlife, Zahira stresses that “‘It’s [the afterlife] about God. God’” (205). Waldman indirectly characterizes the girl as pious through her repetition of “God” and stresses that Muslims, like individuals of other religions, believe in something much greater than themselves. Therefore, Zahira relates with Sean, and through that similarity, she enables him to better understand her religion. Due to her approach when confronting Sean, I favor Zahira. By embracing the country’s xenophobia and fostering Americans’ understanding of her faith, Zahira achieves the goal that countless support organizations strive to accomplish. Therefore, the girl inspires me, as her tactics reveal that acceptance of prejudice and education best create tolerance.  

A Hero Without a Cape

As a child, teachers would ask me to describe my hero. Therefore, the image I conceived as a child-a superhero with a cape-still resonates with me today. Nevertheless, as a young adult, I must examine individuals who do not wear capes and determine what I truly believe makes a hero. After much thought, I have concluded that heroes do not waver from their beliefs and morals despite opposition. Therefore, in Amy Waldman’s 2011 novel, The Submission, which discusses the ramifications of a Muslim man’s selection to design the 9/11 memorial, one widow, Claire Burwell, exhibits true heroism. Claire, a member of the jury panel for the memorial, argues that despite the designer’s religion, he should still design the memorial as his design won. Although Claire personally suffered the loss of her husband in the 9/11 attacks, she still fights for the garden, even after discovering the religion of the designer. Therefore, I would like to embody Claire because of her heroism and unwavering support despite her struggles. For example, Claire mourns that both inside and outside of the jury, “she was fighting alone” (101). The negative denotation of “fighting” implies that Claire faces great aversion for her stance on the garden, and that she stays firm despite this hatred. Therefore, Waldman indirectly characterizes Claire as resilient and unwavering in her beliefs. Similarly, Waldman highlights Claire’s support for her family by emphasizing that “William’s [Claire’s son] vividly imagined garden needed safeguarding” (93). Waldman emphasizes William’s support for the garden to imply that Claire continues to fight for Khan’s design as it provides comfort for her children. Therefore, the novelist indirectly characterizes Claire as loving and supportive to emphasize that the mother fights for her children despite obstacles. Lastly, when the American public rejects the garden due to Khan’s religion, she reminds them that “if you let them change you, they’ve [the 9/11 attackers] won” (98). Waldman indirectly characterizes Claire as strong and determined and implies that Claire will not change her beliefs regardless of the struggles that she faces. Furthermore, Waldman highlights the widow’s belief that the attackers win when Americans change their values to imply that Claire will stay moral to support her family and country. Overall, I hope to embody Claire as I greatly respect her for her unwavering support for both her family and her beliefs. To me, she not only exemplifies heroism, but also shapes my definition of a hero.