Sara Faisal Madhloom

This paper aims to analyse the way Zainichi Korean characters negotiate their identity and their belonging as portrayed in Min Jin Lee's novel, Pachinko. Through the use of the Interactive Acculturation Model (IAM), it is argued that the strategies of the immigrant characters are not their own free choices but are shaped by the Japanese host's exclusionist and segregationist attitudes. Therefore, the marginalised characters, like Sunja, the protagonist of the novel, strive to maintain their Korean culture while trying to avoid any engagement with Japanese society, which leads to a "problematic" outcome, as it would grant such a character stability yet also result in permanent marginalisation. Thus, concluding that the hostile orientation of a host society is the primary architect of the fate of immigrants, revealing that a true belonging is achieved under the requirement of the host society's willingness to accept, not just the effort of an immigrant to adapt.

The Anglo-Saxons had a notable stretch over the remarkable history of England, and the cultural aspect was so overwhelming to the extent that it spread almost over the literary works of the period. This topic of Anglo-Saxon England has attracted considerable scholarly attention due to its significance in understanding and appreciating the cultural construction of this historical period. An interesting aspect of Anglo-Saxon literature is its representation of social, political, and religious influences through the use of Old English poetry. The best way of knowing the cultural construction is by examining the pieces of literature that actually survived from that period, represented by Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People and the four remaining manuscripts, especially the Nowell Codex manuscript. These selected texts which include the Book of Judith, the poem of Juliana, and the epic of Beowulf provide insight into the cultural and societal norms of Anglo-Saxon England while shedding light on topics such as individual roles, religious beliefs, and the concept of heroism. Through a comprehensive analysis of these texts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances and values that shaped Anglo-Saxon society. Ultimately, this investigation aims to illuminate the dynamic interplay between literature and culture, highlighting the ways in which Old English poetry reflects and shapes the cultural construction of Anglo-Saxon England.

In Lord Byron's Manfred, the titular character represents a complex character who displays a range of conflicting emotions throughout the entire play. He is portrayed as a proud, arrogant individual who refuses the seeking of any form of help from others, even in his greatest moment of distress. Manfred's obsession with death and the supernatural of higher powers further complicates his personality, making it difficult for the reader to sympathize and empathize with him. The purpose of this paper is to analyze this enigmatic central character, through examining his behavior, personality traits, and psychological tendencies, which can help to identify what is wrong with him and explore the underlying causes that led to his eternal downfall. To aid the aims of the paper, the character of Manfred was best to be inspected through the Lyotardian Lens, where the decline of grand narratives is best explained through the works of the French philosopher, Jean-François Lyotard. Thus, the paper has revealed that there are multiple factors contributing to what is wrong with Manfred, including his pride, guilt, grief, and romantic ideals that set him to reject the constraints of greater narratives of society and religion, which have all played a role in shaping his troubled personality. By understanding these influences, it is possible to gain a deeper appreciation for Lord Byron's portrayal of this complex character.