Kathleen Jamie's Travel Writing In 'Shia Girls'

Travel Writing In Pakistan
This essay is based on the ideas of reporting and producing which are analyzed in Kathleen Jamie’s travel writing in her book Among Muslims. By talking to real “Shia Girls”, Jamie observes how their lives are different then hers. Jamie wants to understand the lives of the Shia Girls and see what their culture is like in Pakistan. In the chapter “Shia Girls,” there are many stereotypes on Western influence. Jamie interviews and observes some of the Shia Girls to talk about their everyday lives.
An example of stereotypes towards Western influences is the women on the bus. Jamie characterizes one woman: “She wore immodest jeans, had short hair and argued; ergo, she must be a foreigner” (72).This would be an example of stereotypes towards Western influence because the woman did not wear the same clothing and did not have the same hairstyle as the Shia Girls. The woman argued with the bus driver which is unusual to the Shia Girls, because they must have respect towards the men in their
Pratt describes the differences between cultures. Her essay is based on cultural relativism, meaning her essay is based on cultures that are permitted to their own traditions and ideologies. Pratt would think that Jamie’s traveling is excellent because her travel writing describes the differences between her culture and and the Shia Girls. Jamie gathers information from the Shia Girls about their traditions. For example, Jamila said “But I have notice these things: in your society, women after marriage have boyfriends!Yes? And are fond of negroes. Well negroes are humans too. And old people are sent away” (79).This means the after a divorce in Pakistan, the women do not have boyfriends. They are fascinated by how another country enjoys being around others races and how the elderly are sent somewhere to be taken care of instead of being in a place where they are not being taken care of and