Dissertation
Celebration and rescue: mass media portrayals of Malala Yousafzai as Muslim woman activist
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Nov 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7116
Abstract
This research examines prominent visual mass media featuring Malala Yousafzai in order to understand what happens when Western media celebrates a Muslim woman rather than primarily dwelling on the narrative of Muslim women as oppressed and in need of "saving." This dissertation analyzes visual images, keeping at the forefront the question of Malala's celebrityhood as a South Asian Muslim woman. She is not the first Muslim woman engulfed in the spotlight; many of have preceded her. However, as this research shows, the narrative of Malala is a crucial step toward the changing discourse of Muslim women as portrayed in Western mass media. This study uses primarily two qualitative methods: critical discourse analysis and focus groups. Chapters two and three use critical discourse analysis to unpack visuals about and co-authored by Malala. Using the same visuals examined in chapters two and three, chapter four reports audience analysis findings from focus groups with South Asian American Muslim women. Based on the findings from the critical discourse analysis and focus groups, this study concludes that Malala represents a new phase for Western representations of Muslim women where a Muslim woman is not only heard but can freely express commitment to Islam without fear of backlash. Even with certain Orietnatlist, subaltern tropes that make her brand problematic, Malala nonetheless represents a significant step in fuller and better representational practices among Western portrayals of Muslim women.
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Details
- Title
- Celebration and rescue
- Creators
- Wajeeha Ameen Choudhary - DU
- Contributors
- Rachel R. Reynolds (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts and Sciences; Communication, Culture, and Media; Communication; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7116; 991014632257504721