Antony Taliana
East is East
Question:
How does Ayub Khan-Din explore the issue of living within two cultures in his play "East is East"?
The opening scene of "East is East" literally sets the scene for Ayub Kan-Din's play in which he explores the issues of living within two cultures, for the stage in set to show the contrast of cultures - the Islamic prayer stickers, a lazy Susan full of washing - and a fish and chip shop.
Through the Khan family we learn about the Pakistani/English culture clashes: George is a traditional Pakistani Muslim, his wife Ella is a white working class woman from Salford and his children are pulled in both directions - Nazir (The disowned/dead son), Abdul, Tariq, Maneer, Saleem, Meenah (The only girl) and Sajit (The youngest at twelve years old)
The play was written in 1996 but was set in the early 1970's. I think Ayub Khan-Din the playwright chose to set his play then for two reasons, first there was a war between India and Pakistan so his character George became even more extreme and patriotic towards his Muslim faith and his country Pakistan. Secondly there was a lot of anti-immigration feeling in Britain stirred up by politicians like Enoch Powell, who was considered by some as being racist.
East is East
Question:
How does Ayub Khan-Din explore the issue of living within two cultures in his play "East is East"?
The opening scene of "East is East" literally sets the scene for Ayub Kan-Din's play in which he explores the issues of living within two cultures, for the stage in set to show the contrast of cultures - the Islamic prayer stickers, a lazy Susan full of washing - and a fish and chip shop.
Through the Khan family we learn about the Pakistani/English culture clashes: George is a traditional Pakistani Muslim, his wife Ella is a white working class woman from Salford and his children are pulled in both directions - Nazir (The disowned/dead son), Abdul, Tariq, Maneer, Saleem, Meenah (The only girl) and Sajit (The youngest at twelve years old)
The play was written in 1996 but was set in the early 1970's. I think Ayub Khan-Din the playwright chose to set his play then for two reasons, first there was a war between India and Pakistan so his character George became even more extreme and patriotic towards his Muslim faith and his country Pakistan. Secondly there was a lot of anti-immigration feeling in Britain stirred up by politicians like Enoch Powell, who was considered by some as being racist.