World literature

• Engels
• HBO
• Studiejaar 2

World literature

Learning aims

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe the term centre/margin
• Explain how centre/margin is used in Exit West

Centre/ Margin theory

Theory

"For any defined group, especially one with any power, influence, or control, there is a centre and a margin, where the centre has more power, influence or control than the margin" (Primary Goals, z.d).

Theory

• For a group to exists it must have members.
• For all members, a relationship exists between group purpose and the needs of individual members.
  
• It is the very act of exclusion that defines the centre
• If the margin/fringe get too close, the centre will sanction them out and retake that power (A & B above).
• Many times, being in the centre is an unearned privilege.

Theory conclusion

So basically, the centre/ margin theory is that you have a centre (say rich privileged people) en you have a margin (the middle and poor people). The centre has great power and the margin have not. They can't just go into the centre but the people in the centre sometimes want to move outside the centre to the margin. 

To whom could you refer the centre?

To whom could you refer the margin?

You got a lot of information about Centre/Margin. Now we want to know where you stand as an intern at your work placement. 

1. Where am I located?

2. Who occupies the center?

3. How can I move within this structure?

4. Who can assist me in moving?

5. What level of risk to I take to move within power structures, and why?

1. Where am I located?
2. Who occupies the centre?
3. How can I move within this structure?
4. Who can assist me in moving?
5. What level of risk to I take to move within power structures, and why?

Exit West - Mohsin Hamid

http://mohsinhamid.com/home.html 

Mohsin Hamid

- Born in Pakistan

- Traveled & migrated a lot to different countries (Pakistan, several places in the US, London, Italy, Greece)

- Has written 4 books focused around Middle-Eastern/Asian literature

- Works focus on current events; mass migration, post-9/11, etc.

- Tends to write abstractly, 2 books are written in second person.

Other Works

- Moth Smoke (2000) 

      --> Adapted to film, was a hit in India & Pakistan

- The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007)

- How to become Filthy Rich in Rising Asia (2013)

- Exit West (2017)

Exit West

Story of a couple, Nadia and Saeed, that have to escape their hometown due to a civil war. They travel through doors that transport them to different parts of the world.

What did you think of Exit West? Write down some keywords.

What are the major themes of this book?

Use of Centre-Margin in Exit West

• Chapter 8: Dark London during the power outtage
• Nadia is welcomed into the council meetings of the house they take residence in while Saeed is shunned
• Saeed is accepted by a house of his kin where they perform loads of prayers, something Nadia does not partake in

Centre Margin

• In both instances, both main characters are at the centre of one group while being at the edge of the other; the margin.
  
• This situation is a driving the main characters apart because both parties are at the margin of eachother's centre

Thank you for participating!

The exit is on the west :)