Qaisra Sharaz - A Pair Of Jeans

Synopsis The story deals with an incident that confronts two ways of behaviour and adjustment to British lifestyle, involving Miriam, a young British-Pakistani girl struggling to maintain her foothold in both British and Muslim society. The story begins when Miriam meets her future in-laws. She is not dressed traditionally, but according to he latest fashion, with skinny jeans and a vest that reveals her bare skin. Even though she quickly changes, Begum and Ayub, her future in-laws, are disgusted and hence leave soon. For them, marriage is now out of question. They nd an excuse to call off the wedding, but naturally, both Miriam and her mother feel offended by this decision. 1st ending: Miriam furiously kicks her jeans as if they were to blame for her misfortune. 2nd ending: Miriam decides to deliberately wear exactly the same outt that caused her trouble when she will see her anc Farook to discuss the situation with him Setting Located in an urban setting in northern Britain with no exact town mentioned, the author implies that the story could be set in any larger Pakistani community in Britain. Characters Miriam Characterized from multiple perspectives-->psychological insight into Miriam's ambivalent character The Jeans World: university, friends, leisure, modern world. Education is also very important to Miriams and Farooks parents. but they strongly oppose the modern and immoral behaviour connected with it. The Shalwar Kameze World: Muslim decency and obedience - Miriam also belongs to this world, her role is not forced upon her. She feels at ease when wearing traditional Muslim clothes and enjoys the fact that she can create the image of a perfect Pakistani wife. Her reactions: self-consciousness, embarrassment, shame, loss of control and poise, discontent, rebellion. In the end: self-condence, independence Begum patriarchic system remains unchallenged, although Begum shows signs of dissatisfaction Her understanding of the circumstances that require Miriam to adopt a more western lifestyle cannot counterbalance the shame and horror she secretly felt about the exposure of female esh in public. A loose dress-code correlates for her with loose manners and morals, like having several boyfriends

Fatima Trusts her daughter, accepts her daughters occasional adoption of western lifestyle without setting up severe rules Does not approve of her daughters taking the initiative to call Farook, but supports her, also because she feels insulted by Begums and Ayubs behaviours. Ready to discuss things openly Aware of the generation gap between her and her daughter The two endings First ending: highly emotional. Miriam is enraged and humiliated, she blames herself and her clothing for the outcome. It is uncertain whether her kicking the jeans means a total rejection of Western modes. Second ending: More reective and planned procedure. She Takes the initiative and is no longer the obedient daughter. Self-condent and in the clothes that caused the trouble, she walks away to solve her problem. The reader is left to speculated about the outcome. Themes and Issues Muslim woman Due to the typical Muslim family structure, integration of Muslim women is not easy: little knowledge of English, no interaction with the British environment Daughters are often sent to special single-sex schools, where they are not exposed to male glances, however, a good education is considered an important criterium for a good marriage Identity Miriam is torn between her identity as an obedient Pakistani daughter and a Western girl adopting to modern fashion. She becomes more and more aware of the fact that changing her clothes does not mean a change of identity. In the end she decides to the Western norm of individual freedom.