Chen 1 Tiffany Chen Ms.

Gardner English 10 Hon Period 1 16 November 2013 Annotated Bibliography: Brick Lane by Monica Ali Stade, George, and Karen Karbiener. "Ali, Monica." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. This article written by Stade, George, and Karen Karbiener provides a brief but impactful insight on the novel Brick Lanes main character, Nazneen, and informs the readers about Monica Alis own history which strongly influences the book. It includes information on the author, who is of Bangladeshi and English descent but raised in London, as well as the various awards she won and the controversy revolving around Brick Lane and its portrayal of Bangladeshi people. Extending on the authors publishing controversy, it also references to her other works, including the film version of Brick Lane, and her published novels Alentejo Blue, and Untold Story. Centered particularly on issues revolving around the reasons and effects of the publishment of Brick Lane, insight is exhibited as the authors inclusion of others perspectives and criticism strengthens readers understanding of the occurrences in the novel. The introduction which expands on Monica Alis background of her Bangladeshi and English history emphasizes the main character Nazneens own cultural influences of London and the struggle to preserve her Bangladeshi culture while coping with the vigorous, fervent attitude and voices of Londons people. The mentioning of criticism

Chen 2 towards the Bangladeshi depiction in the novel by Germaine Greer expresses the deep cultural rift Nazneen faces throughout the course of the novel as she is exposed to the conflicts involving cultural diversity. Overall, the article gives clear insight and a balanced view towards the cultural and social influences on the production of Monica Alis novel, Brick Lane.

Chen 3 Leeson, Miles. "Ali, Monica." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 1 Dec. 2013 . Informing readers on the book Brick Lane by Monica Ali, this bibliography discusses the authors diverse background stemming from her experience of embodying Bangladeshi roots in an English community. The article mentions her studies in politics, economics, and philosophy at Wadham college and the discordant feelings she dealt with in her early life. Along with this information on Ali, the bibliography also summarizes the overall storyline and themes of the novel itself, including the perspective of Bangladeshi civilians living in Britain who protested against the negative portrayal of the Sylhet indigenous peoples. The clarification the article provides on Brick Lane is exhibited through the inclusion of Monica Alis contrasting roots in Bangladesh and English culture and their influence on the main character, Nazneen. As it mentions the isolated feelings the author experienced in her early life from a distinctive background it is apparent that Nazneens conflicting mentality towards her culture derives from Monica Alis own experiences with cultural disparity. The paragraph on the conflicting perspectives by the Bangladeshi community in London prompts readers to analyze the cultural depictions in the novel causing the large controversy. Overall, this bibliography emphasizes the personal influence of Monica Alis history in Brick Lane and the differing perspectives of its readers.

Chen 4 Perfect,Michael."TheMulticulturalBildungsroman:StereotypesinMonicaAli'sBrickLane."The MulticulturalBildungsroman:StereotypesinMonicaAli'sBrickLane.N.p.,n.d.Web.01 Dec.2013. Discussing the accusations towards the support of stereotypes in Monica Alis Brick Lane, the author of the article, Michael Perfect, provides literary criticism by arguing that the focus of the novel is not on contradicting stereotypes but rather emphasizing the possible adaptations in both people and their societies as different cultures interact. He further states that Ali incorporates stereotypes to highlight the main character Nazneens adaptation to both Bangladeshi and English culture. The author of this article offers a new and distinctive perspective on the apparent controversy revolving around the book and its stereotypes, providing a personal viewpoint towards Brick Lane in its argument of the actual usage of them in support for Nazneens character development. This criticism of the controversial perspectives surrounding the categorization of distinct groups in the novel affects readers by shifting the outlook of Monica Alis purpose in incorporating the stereotypes. Rather than the widely sought idea of negativity involving stereotypes, Perfect stresses the importance of them towards the progression of cultural interactions in Nazneens life. The article overall gives readers a distinct attitude towards the stereotypes in Brick Lane and contradicts the negative accusations surrounding the novel.

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Berger,Joseph."MuslimWoman'sCritiqueofCustom."NYTimes.com.InternationalNewYork Times,25Mar.2006.Web.01Dec.2013. This article focuses on Masuda Sultan who is a Muslim human rights activist and author of the memoir, My War at Home, which discusses the experiences of being in an arranged marriage at a very young age. It briefs upon her life, including her parents which sought to preserve Sultans Afghan descent and the marriage to a husband expecting obedience and subordination which she withdrew from after three years. It also mentions other specific authors such as Monica Ali who have published works centered on the lives of Muslim women and their experiences with Islamic culture. Though the article focuses on the differing perspectives towards Muslim society and roles of women, it also addresses the evolving Afghan culture in areas like the United States which involve a looser relationship between Muslim men and women. This article written by Joseph Berger approaches the viewpoints of Muslim woman towards their society and their thoughts on outsiders contradicting perspectives of it, giving an accurate and realistic account of Muslim arranged marriages like that of the character Nazneens in Brick Lane. Through the author Masuda Sultan, the focus of the article which aims to provide readers with the insight of Muslim women on their culture and role in society, is supported as Sultans own experiences recount a contrasting perspective than those of other societies. The topic of perspective ties in with Monica

Chen 6 Alis Brick Lane greatly as it extends further upon the traditional Muslim cultural interactions which exemplifies Nazneens struggling relationship with her husband Chanu in the novel.

Cowell,Alan."InLondon,aNewEastWestSkirmish."TheNewYorkTimes.TheNewYorkTimes, 05Aug.2006.Web.01Dec.2013. Regarding the film version of Monica Alis Brick Lane, this article directs its focus on the controversy around the novel and the protesting Bangladeshi people living in the Brick Lane community, particularly the Bengalis from the Sylhet region. When it was heard that Ruby Films, the company producing the movie, would be filming on Brick Lane, protest struck out and one of these particular people interviewed was a local business owner in the community called Abdus Salique, who commented that Ali portrayed them as uneducated, illiterate, not clean. Including excerpts from articles written by Germaine Greer which lashed out at Alis novel and agreed that the people should be able to protest against the filming in their community, it also contains contrasting responses by Mr. Rushdie objecting the formers ideas. This article addresses the sensitive issue of depicting groups of people in the community which Alis novel Brick Lane has been accused of doing so negatively. The controversy involving the detrimental outlook of the novel and filmmaking to Bengali

Chen 7 members in the community allows readers to view various perspectives towards Brick Lane outside of the main character Nazneens eyes. The protests mentioned in this article and viewpoints included highlight the stereotypes of the novel and their effects on the community in London which have mixed responses towards the portrayal of the area and its people.

Wright, Jan. "Book Reviews Brick Lane by Monica Ali." Humanities360.com. N.p., 3 Nov. 2009. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. This review on the novel Brick Lane offers a different insight than those which praise it. The author of the article, Jane Wright, points out the novels flaws which include a poorly developed character and plot which fell due to the overly highlighted themes of liberation. Discussing the unstable character development of main characters such as Nazneen, Chanu, and Karim, Wright expresses her doubt towards Chanus passive attitude in scenes where he sees Karim in his house with his wife and Nazneens obscure actions in the novel as well, such as sexually interacting with Karim on her own bed. Overall, the article provides literary criticism as it articulates the downfalls of the novel. This book review on Brick Lane expresses a personal and analytical perspective towards the characters and their progression of mentality and personality throughout

Chen 8 the plot while serving to undermine the past positive reviews which view the novel as having no flaws. The usage of specific scenes in the book such as Chanus many encounters with Karim in his house largely support Wrights claim of poor character development and clarify the books weaknesses as the author challenges the questionable actions of the characters which do not correspond with their previous acts. A fresh and clear outlook of the novel, this article influences readers to reevaluate the character growth of Nazneen, Chanu, Karim, and others.