Islamophobia and (Wes)toxification: A Hermeneutical and phenomenological reading of John Updike’s TERRORIST

This research takes up the dialectical presentation of Terrorist by John Updike to underscore actively mediating presence reader(s) in treating meaning as an event. Drawing on Rosenblatt’s ‘aesthetic mode’ reading, this paper argues that determinate and indeterminate meaning(s) perpetuate Islamophobia, ethnocentrism, Eurocentrism (mis)informed reader. The central character Terrorist, Ahmad, is systematically indoctrinated Imam, Shaikh Rashid, simultaneously manipulated CIA operative, Charlie Chehab, deliver ‘Hutama’ nonbelievers/Americans. invites reader see Imam inciting Ahmad advance his suicidal mission. At same time, there some sort balancing act at work with CIA’s active incitement blow Lincoln’s Tunnel. While ‘West’ here also implicated violent jehad hijacking Ahmad’s critical orientation, primary mover Muslim prayer leader, extension, place worship, mosque, worship itself. So, informed readers participate dialectics construction, they do so not isolation, but (overbearing) existing views, representations prismatic constructions Islam. In sense maintain support stereotypes Islam, which superficially questioning.