28th Annual Student Research Conference
"Im Not Racist, But...": An Examination of Colonial Racism in Kamila Shamsies A God in Every Stone
Alexandra E. Moore
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
Kamila Shamsie's A God in Every Stone tells a story of a society that has been deeply affected by English imperialism. The clash of eastern and western cultures in the British colony we know as modern-day Pakistan exemplifies the racism and intolerance that comes with colonialism. The "white man's burden" is made evident through the perspective of the nave English archaeologist, Vivian Rose, and the way she interacts with the foreign culture around her. Despite her good intentions, she is vastly unaware the racial tensions in Peshawar, and of her own privilege. When speaking to a native boy in a museum, she says, "We've left [the artifacts] here... so you can see your own history." This paper will examine the ways Vivian Roses attitudes, though progressive for her time, propel misguided ideas of European superiority, as well as the way her character development affects the overall theme of the novel.
Keywords: Kamila Shamsie, A God in Every Stone
Topic(s):English
Asian Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 202-3
Location: VH 1010
Time: 11:30