A Conflict Arising from the Interplay of Cultural and Hybrid Identities in Wajahat Ali's "The Domestic Crusaders"

Abstract

The present research study presents in depth analysis of Wajahat Ali's play "The Domestic Crusaders" (2005) which is, concerned with hybrid identity and cultural identity and its effects on the lives of inflicted persons. The story revolves around a Muslim Pakistani American family that is caught up in a serious cultural conflict and consists of three generations: the parents, grandparents, and the younger generation. The younger generation, having partially abandoned parental norms and embraced Western principles, struggles to balance the intricacies of straddling two very different cultural systems, while the seniors obstinately uphold their traditional cultural ideas.  The play depicts a palpable tension emerges as the older generation clings persistently to its cultural heritage, while on the other hand the younger members undergo a transformative process and adepts to the imprints of western cultures. The young minds, deviating from parental traditions, resulting in the formulation of a distinct identity. This mergering of traits from both parental and Western cultures flowed into a mixed culture which is termed a "Hybrid Identity." It is within this hybridization that a conflict arises, as the newly crafted identity contradicts the traditional cultural moorings.

The narrative exposes a grand generational and cultural clash, igniting the struggles of individuals between established traditions and the appealing of a western ethos. Through the characters' experiences, the play encapsulates the complexities inherent in navigating dual identities, offering a compelling portrayal of the conflicts that arise when cultural values collide within the intricate tapestry of familial relationships.