Puzzling depiction of an alluring Saracen: The recipe sells well in Pakistani anglophone fiction

This study addresses the complexities of identity and representation, by examining the enigmatic portrayal of Muslim women in Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire within the framework of orientalist feminism. The authors applied Baker's corpus-based discourse analysis to examine the representation of the hijab/veil/scarf trope in Anglophone fiction. The research aims to identify recurring patterns and discursive strategies employed in portraying women who wear the hijab. Contextualizing the analysis within the ideological framework of orientalist feminism, the study explores the unintentional perpetuation of stereotypical identities by Anglophone writers, using Shamsie's works as exemplars. By merging Baker's approach to corpus analysis with Van Leeuwen's (2008) SA theory, the study delves into the linguistic nuances shaping the discourse on the hijab. Coerced by Kamila Shamsie's notion of "Muslimness," this research delves into the intricate facets of Muslim identity, encompassing religious convictions, cultural practices, political alignments, and individual experiences. The study enriches our comprehension of the complex interplay between discourse, representation, and ideology surrounding the hijab in contemporary literary contexts.