Volume 1 Number 2 December 2022
Page 121-133
P-ISSN: 2961-7502
E-ISSN: 2962-8199
Muslim English Literature
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15408/mel.v1i2.27444
PA
Muslim English Literature
Copyright © 2022 Muslim English Literature
Vol.1 No. 2, December 2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15408/mel.v1i2.27444
Fatima’s Mimicry in Aliya Husain’s Neither
This Nor That
Nur Asiyah
Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta, Indonesia
Email: nur.asiyah@staff.uinsaid.ac.id .
Abstract
This study aims to reveal Fatima’s mimicry as the prominent figure in Aliya Husain’s Neither This
Nor That. The presence of minorities often brings the assumption that they are foreign people, so
they are treated discriminatively. Immigrants who live a new life in a country whose ideology,
beliefs, and lifestyle of the original population are opposite to those of their home country will
experience identity problems. Muslim women or Muslimah who are diaspora from India to
America also share the same thing. They have to negotiate their identity, so they can live
comfortably. The form of negotiation can be done by mimicry. This research is qualitative
descriptive research. This research examines mimicry narratives from a diaspora novel, Neither
This Nor That (2010). In addition, other sources such as books, journals, and the web are
supporting sources. This paper uses Homi Bhabha's postcolonialism theory, especially mimicry,
ambivalence, and hybrid. Ting Tomey's Identity Negotiation Theory is also used to strengthen the
analysis. This study reveals that the characters imitate the majority's behavior subconsciously to
maintain and save their identity. In doing so, they wait for the right time and momentum to
negotiate their identity so that, in the end, a hybrid identity will emerge that accommodates the
old and new identities.
Keywords: Diaspora, Hybrid, Mindful Mimicry, Muslimah
Introduction
Immigrants from other countries often assume they are foreigners, so they are treated
discriminatively. Immigrants who live in new conditions, such as the ideologies, beliefs, and
lifestyles of the original inhabitants that are different from their home countries, cause
identity problems. Immigrants have long grappled with identity difficulties as a community
isolated from their host land (Nurhasna, 2022). A cliché problem is usually triggered by
stigma and stereotypes of immigrants and natives. Moreover, if the government and its new
state regulations are not accommodating to the interests of the newcomers, of course, this
will encourage them to adapt and look for patterns so that they can live comfortably in the
new country with their identity. The influence of society can construct identity. Knowledge
and strong religious belief of different people bring various negotiations (Asiyah,
2020). There are at least two big problems that they face, namely: socio-political problems
and problems in carrying out Religious Guidance. Socio-political problems are the problems
they face most often. This problem stems from the unequal background, social and culture,
race, ethnicity, and belief or religion of other minority groups that differ from the majority.