Circumcision an important part in Islam it has to be done to all boys at young age. It is an identity to all Muslim boys that circumcision should be done. The characters respond to the idea of culture in different ways. Some character have a positive attitude towards culture which can be seen when it says “…you know nothing about my religion, you no bloody care your children have no God. Your son no Muslim with this thing…” this is showing that George wants his family to believe in his religion and it is also showing that Ella has never tried to help her children follow the lines of religion. Some of the characters have a negative attitude toward religion. This can be seen when it says “leave it, he’ll only get more upset” here Ella is taking this very lightly and says he will get more upset. If she cared about George’s religion and traditions then she would have encouraged Sajid to go for the operation.
In Act 1 Scene 4 Khan din looks at cultural conflict. Characters use different terms to link to culture an example of this is “Tough. I hate Paki music, go and make us some chapattis.” This is showing that Tariq only like to eat his traditional food but not anything else to do with his religion. He says Paki this is disrespectful and not a good word to use. When he says make us some chapatti’s this is showing that he would only go back to his traditions when he is hungry or has no choice. Tariq says “tough I hate paki music…”this is showing that he would not listen to this even when is not in control. Tariq being a Pakistani is saying this but this would be expected of the society. In 1970 people where raciest and did not care about other peoples feelings and Tariq being a Pakistani is doing the same.
George thinks that he would be respected if his family was in Pakistan. This can be seen when it says “ I should have sent bloody kids to Pakistan, when young, other wife teach bloody respect” this is showing that George thinks his children would respect him more if they were in Pakistan. His character would be very angry loud and dramatic at this point. George would have been told to shout really loud, to make a lot of hand movements and to move around a lot as his is very upset is having a mixture of emotional and angry feelings. The audience would think he is a very stuck up man as he thinks about him self only but then the audience would also feel a bit sorry for him as he is not respected.
In Act 2 scene 1 looks at cultural tradition. The kids are scared of their dad this can be seen when it says “it stinks of burnt bacon in here, me dad’ll smell it a mile off” this is showing that the children know that they are doing something their dad would not want them to. This also shows that they are scared of their dad because if they were not then they would not care if it smelt or not and still eat it. The dramatic irony is when George says “...I always try to show Pakistani way to live is good way, parent look after children, children look after parent…” this is when George is telling his son how he should lead his life as a Pakistani and follow the right religious path. This would be a funny moment for the audience because the children were eating bacon and now George is saying that how Muslims lead their life.
In Act 2 scene 3 and 4 is about the identity of the characters. Tariq is confused n what he should do this can be seen when it says “well if that’s got owt to do with being Pakistani, you can stick it” this is showing that he does not prefer being a Pakistani because his brother Saleem has been hit by his dad and is on the floor crying. This sounds negative and also gives us a feel that Tariq is fed up of not being able to do thing or being bossed around and will soon take action. The words stick it sound like an insult.
George is positive about being a Muslim and this can be seen when it says “… you no English, English people no accepting you. In Islam, everyone equal see, no black man, no white man. Only Muslim, it special community.” This is showing that George want his children to follow Islam and accept it. George is using a positive attitude towards Islam and this will show the audience that he is loyal toward his traditions and want his children to do the same. George is making clear that you do not have to be Pakistani to be a Muslim. In society being an Asian was being a Asian and you could not say that you are a Christian or anything else. People were racist and would not allow for occasion an Asian boy into the church ect.
In conclusion khan-Din deals with the issue of culture and identity in a negative way and could have got the same message across by being a bit more positive. Khan din uses dramatic irony about the bacon to help get his message across. He also creates guilt in the characters which also helps the audience understand. Khan din give the message of the society being unfair and then shows that the surroundings of a family make it hard for them to follow their traditions. The message is about a mixed race family and about how an Asian man of the house would be treated by his family.
