ESSAY TOPIC: ______What Strange Paradise________ NAME _____Alan Khuu__________________
FIRST PARAGRAPH: Don't forget to indent!
Thesis: Through a postcolonial lens, "What Strange Paradise" by Omar El Akkad rehumanizes the global discourse on migration by
intimately exploring the harrowing journey of young refugees Amir and Vänna. The novel sheds light on the enduring impacts of
imperialism, cultural displacement, language barriers, and the contrasting facets of humanity in the face of hope and despair. It
particularly emphasizes the dynamics of postcolonial power and the acts of resistance exhibited by the characters, challenging political
talking points and statistics, while presenting powerful human connections that transcend borders and language.
Subtopic One
Subtopic Two
Subtopic Three
The Impact of Colonialism and
Imperialism on Migration
The Journey of Displacement and
Humanization of Refugees
Postcolonial Power Dynamics and Resistance
how the novel delves into the historical
context of the characters' homelands
(Eritrea, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Ethiopia,
Lebanon) and examines the lingering
effects of colonialism and imperialism.
Explore how these forces have shaped the
characters' lives, forced them to migrate,
and led to the persistence of poverty, war,
and political persecution.
Analyze the harrowing journey of young
refugees Amir and Vänna, emphasizing the
fear, suffering, language barriers, and
injustices they encounter as they escape
their homelands and reach the unnamed
island. Examine how the novel rehumanizes
the discussion about migration by
portraying the humanity of the characters,
their hopes for a better future, and the
connections they form despite the
differences in language and culture.
The novel critiques postcolonial power
dynamics and their impact on marginalized
communities. "What Strange Paradise"
emphasizes the agency of the characters and
their acts of resistance against oppressive
forces. Through acts of resilience and
compassion, the refugees challenge the
dominant narratives imposed upon them,
asserting their humanity in the face of
dehumanization.
SECOND PARAGRAPH: Don't forget to indent!
Topic Sentence Introducing Subtopic One: Use a transition word!
Firstly, "What Strange Paradise" by Omar El Akkad delves into the historical context of the characters' homelands, including Eritrea,
Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Ethiopia, and Lebanon, shedding light on the enduring effects of colonialism and imperialism that have shaped
their lives and compelled them to undertake the perilous journey of migration.
3 Examples with explanations: Use transition words!
● Firstly, the novel depicts the impact of
colonialism on Amir's homeland, Syria.
● Additionally, "What Strange Paradise" portrays
the cultural displacement experienced by Vänna,
a local teenage girl living on the unnamed island.
● Lastly, the novel illustrates the persistence of
political persecution and its connection to
migration through the experiences of Palestinian
refugees.
●
In the book, Amir's father shares a poignant
saying that encapsulates the enduring
consequences of colonial rule: "people persist
through poverty and war because 'What else is
there to do?'" This quote reflects how historical
forces, including colonialism, have left Syria
grappling with poverty and conflict, driving its
people to seek a better life elsewhere through
migration. The novel highlights how the legacy
of colonialism continues to reverberate in the
characters' lives, forcing them to confront the
harsh realities of their homelands and make
life-altering decisions.
● Vänna's parents' insistence on "aspirational
Westernness" serves as a powerful portrayal of
cultural displacement and the pressure to
assimilate into the dominant culture. The quote,
"if she ever hoped to avoid the immigrants'
markup, every last trace of home in her voice
had to be wiped clean," illustrates the struggle
faced by migrants to shed their native accents
and cultural markers to fit into a new
environment. This poignant depiction of
cultural erasure exemplifies the impact of
imperialism, where the West's influence shapes
the aspirations and self-perception of those
living on the periphery.
● Umm Ibrahim's plea on the boat, "Hello. I am
pregnant. I will have a baby on April
twenty-eight. I need a hospital and a doctor to
have a safe baby. Please help," reflects the
desperation faced by those escaping
persecution. The quote highlights the
vulnerability and urgency experienced by
individuals fleeing political instability and
violence in their homelands. This example
illustrates how the characters' migration is not
solely a quest for a better life but a response to
political circumstances that threaten their safety
and well-being, further underscoring the
long-term effects of imperialism and
colonialism on their lives.
Concluding Sentence for Subtopic One: Use a transition word!
"What Strange Paradise" masterfully explores the profound impact of colonialism and imperialism on the characters' homelands, driving
them to confront poverty, war, and political persecution, thus illuminating the complex historical forces that shape their migration
journey. The novel lays the foundation for an intimate portrayal of the harrowing journey of displacement and the humanization of
refugees like Amir and Vänna.
THIRD PARAGRAPH: Don't forget to indent!
Topic Sentence Introducing Subtopic Two: Use a transition word!
Secondly, "What Strange Paradise" delves into the harrowing journey of displacement faced by young refugees Amir and Vänna, offering
a poignant portrayal of their experiences as they escape their homelands and seek refuge on the unnamed island.
Or
Secondly, the novel "What Strange Paradise" intricately weaves a tapestry of emotions and challenges, delving into the harrowing journey
of displacement faced by young refugees Amir and Vänna. As they courageously escape their war-torn homelands and embark on a
treacherous path towards an uncertain future on the unnamed island, the narrative unfolds with vivid portrayals of fear, suffering,
language barriers, and injustices, all while rehumanizing the discourse of migration through the profound connections forged amidst the
complexities of their new reality.
3 Examples with explanations: Use transition words!
● Additionally, the novel vividly portrays the
harrowing journey of young refugee Amir as he
escapes his homeland and arrives on the
unnamed island.
● Furthermore, "What Strange Paradise" delves
into the language barriers encountered by
refugees like Vänna and Amir, emphasizing the
struggles they face in communication.
● Moreover, the novel portrays a nuanced picture
of hope amid despair, as refugees like Amir and
Vänna cling to dreams of a better future despite
their arduous circumstances.
●
The quote "Amir wakes up on the beach scared
and alone, his face down in the sand" captures
the initial fear and vulnerability Amir
experiences after surviving the tragic sinking of
the Calypso. This poignant moment serves as a
compelling portrayal of the immense challenges
faced by refugees during their perilous journey,
as they confront the uncertainties of reaching
foreign shores and navigating unfamiliar
territories. The novel follows Amir's journey,
from escaping the horrors of war in his
homeland to the daunting prospect of an
unknown future on the island, making the
narrative a powerful testament to the courage
and resilience of refugees.
● The quote "she helps Amir to hide, feeds him,
and eventually takes him to a local refugee
camp" exemplifies Vänna's role in aiding Amir
despite the challenge of language differences.
This example showcases the significance of
human connections formed amidst adversity,
transcending language barriers. The novel
challenges the notion that language serves as an
insurmountable obstacle to empathy and
understanding, highlighting the power of
compassion and non-verbal communication in
fostering connections between individuals from
diverse backgrounds.
● The quote "He knew the reason his mother
watched these shows had nothing to do with the
storylines... She needed to sound like the place
in which she hoped to restart her life" illustrates
Vänna's mother's aspiration for a brighter
future. This portrayal exemplifies the strength
and determination of refugees who endure
immense hardships in pursuit of a safer and
more promising life. By portraying the
aspirations of refugees, the novel humanizes
them beyond statistics or mere victims of
circumstance, presenting them as individuals
with dreams and hopes, despite the challenging
reality they face.
Concluding Sentence for Subtopic Two: Use a transition word!
Consequently, "What Strange Paradise" not only captures the harrowing journey of displacement and the humanization of refugees but
also seamlessly paves the way to delve into the novel's critique of postcolonial power dynamics and the acts of resistance exhibited by the
characters in the face of oppression.
FOURTH PARAGRAPH: Don't forget to indent!
Topic Sentence Introducing Subtopic Three: Use a transition word!
Lastly, "What Strange Paradise" critically examines the postcolonial power dynamics at play, shedding light on the agency of the
characters and their acts of resistance in the face of oppressive forces.
Or
Lastly, "What Strange Paradise" ventures deeper into its narrative to critically examine the complex web of postcolonial power dynamics
at play, illuminating the agency of the characters as they navigate the turbulent waters of migration. The novel compellingly portrays their
acts of resistance against oppressive forces, challenging dominant narratives and redefining their humanity amidst the backdrop of
enduring historical legacies.
3 Examples with explanations: Use transition words!
● Moreover, The novel depicts the characters'
defiance and resistance against oppressive
postcolonial power dynamics.
●
Additionally, the novel "What Strange Paradise"
portrays the characters' struggles against the
oppressive postcolonial power dynamics that
govern their lives.
● Furthermore, "What Strange Paradise" examines
the impact of postcolonial power dynamics on
language and communication barriers for
refugees like Vänna and Amir.
● Quote: "The island is a graveyard. People come
here to forget. To forget they're scared, they're
tired, they're hungry. To forget they ever had a
home or a name." - Omar El Akkad, "What
Strange Paradise". Explanation: The quote
highlights the island's function as a place of
erasure, where migrants are forced to abandon
their identities and histories. Despite this
attempt to strip them of agency, the characters
show resilience by preserving their sense of self
and resisting the dehumanizing effects of
postcolonial power dynamics. The act of
remembering their past and holding onto their
identities becomes a powerful form of
resistance against the forces that seek to erase
them.
●
● The quote "The only survivor is a nine-year-old
Syrian boy named Amir" highlights the
vulnerability and injustice faced by young
migrants who are often subjected to the whims
of postcolonial power structures. Amir's
experience as the sole survivor of a sinking boat
reflects the precariousness of life for many
migrants, subject to the whims of the sea and
indifferent political forces. Through Amir's
journey, the novel exposes the tragic
consequences of postcolonial power dynamics,
where the lives of refugees are shaped by forces
beyond their control.
● The quote "he runs away from the men who
approach him yelling in a language he's never
heard before" underscores the profound
language barriers faced by migrants like Amir
on the unnamed island. The unfamiliar
language spoken by the island's inhabitants
serves as a stark reminder of the enduring
impact of colonization and postcolonial
influences, shaping the interactions between
migrants and the local population. The novel
skillfully portrays how language becomes a tool
of power, isolating and marginalizing migrants,
and perpetuating postcolonial hierarchies.
Concluding Sentence for Subtopic Three: Use a transition word!
"What Strange Paradise" masterfully delves into the intricacies of postcolonial power dynamics, revealing the characters' struggles and
acts of resistance in the face of oppressive forces. By exploring the enduring impact of colonization and language barriers on migrants, as
well as the disparities between refugees and those in positions of authority, the novel provides a nuanced examination of the complexities
of a postcolonial world.
FIFTH PARAGRAPH: Don't forget to indent!
Restate your thesis. Summarize your main points. Add a clincher
Through a postcolonial lens, "What Strange Paradise" by Omar El Akkad serves as a compelling testament to the
rehumanization of the global discourse on migration. Intimately exploring the harrowing journey of young refugees
Amir and Vänna, the novel sheds light on the enduring impacts of imperialism, cultural displacement, language
barriers, and the complexities of humanity amidst hope and despair. Moreover, it critically examines postcolonial
power dynamics, showcasing the characters' resilience and acts of resistance against oppressive forces. By
challenging political talking points, the novel emphasizes powerful human connections that transcend borders and
language, urging for empathy and compassion in a more inclusive global dialogue. With poignant portrayals of
displacement, cultural erasure, and disparities, "What Strange Paradise" invites readers to confront the shared
dreams, struggles, and resilience that unite humanity across borders and historical divides. It stands as a poignant
call to embrace a more humane understanding of migration and the complexities of a postcolonial world.