The self and the other : a critical discourse analysis of Leila Aboulela’s “the ostrich”

Abstract EN

This paper examines the relationship between the Self and the Other as exemplified in Leila Aboulela’s short story “The Ostrich”, one of her collection of short stories titled Coloured Lights, first published in 2001.

The paper analyses the attitudes of the protagonist, Sumra, the Sudanese, and her Sudanese husband, Majdy, toward their own, Self, culture and toward the Other, British, culture.

The research adopts a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework as developed by van Dijk in 2006, as well as a framework of Metadiscourse as presented by Ken Hyland in 2005.

Analysis suggests that Aboulela portrays a realistic picture about the Self and the Other cultures, the Sudanese and the British, respectively.

Not only does she depict the good actions of the Self and bad actions of the Other, but bad actions of the Self and good actions of the Other are presented as well.

This is explained through the attitudes of the two characters in the short story, making Aboulela’s writing all the more credible and enjoyable.