Liberal Feminist Narratives in Diaspora Literature: Gender Equality and Global Literacy in Samira Ahmed^s Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know Erlina Nur Aziza, Ellita Permata Widjayanti
State University of Jakarta
Jalan Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia.
State University of Jakarta
Jalan Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia.
Abstract
This research explores the representation of liberal feminism in Samira Ahmed^s novel Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know through its two main characters, Khayyam and Leila. The study addresses the problem of patriarchal domination that limits women^s roles and potential, while examining how liberal feminism advocates equality, freedom, and personal choice. The research focuses on two questions: (1) how the novel represents modern women and women in the Ottoman Empire through Khayyam and Leila, and (2) how these characters resist patriarchal domination in their respective contexts.Using a descriptive qualitative method, the analysis applies Mary Wollstonecraft^s liberal feminist framework to examine narratives, dialogues, and plotlines that highlight women^s struggles. The findings reveal that Khayyam, a Muslim diaspora woman in contemporary Paris, challenges male-centered historical narratives and asserts her autonomy through education, self-determination, and intellectual pursuits. Meanwhile, Leila, a 19th-century Haseki woman, resists oppression through her inner strength, access to education, and the act of writing her own story.This study concludes that both characters embody liberal feminist ideals by asserting independence and resisting restrictive gender norms across different eras. By highlighting their struggles, the research contributes to a more inclusive feminist discourse that considers the intersection of gender, culture, and diasporic identities.
Keywords: Keywords: Liberal Feminism, Patriarchal Domination, Representation
