Islamophobia is defined as a closed-minded hatred, fear or prejudice
toward Islam and Muslims that result in discrimination, marginalization,
and oppression. This phenomenon was strengthened after September 11
marked a watershed in the history of America. In the wake of 9/11,
Islamophobia was promulgated in a plethora of textual and visual
narratives, including novel. This paper studies Islamophobia in Greg
Hrbek’s latest novel Not on Fire, But Burning (2015). A close reading of
the novel reveals that the novel couples Islam with terrorism and
barbarity, and sets forth the Self/Other dichotomy, which is rather
cherished in the discourse of Islamophobia. As observed in a long history
of Islamophobic rhetoric, Hrbek’s novel depicts that certain people,
undoubtedly Muslims, are outside the American system of values, ready
to catch America off-guard. With the images the work promotes of Islam
and its followers, it is argued that Not on Fire, But Burning reinforces
Islamophobia and biased frames of reference on Islam and Muslims.
Source: Journal of WORLD SOCIOPOLITICAL STUDIES
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