A Study of Rhetorical Devices in Mohja Kahf's Emails from Scheherazad

This essay provides a detailed analysis of the rhetorical techniques employed in Mohja Kahf's 'Emails from Scheherazad.' It examines the literary work's exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and cultural conflict, focusing on the experiences of an Arab-American woman. The essay explores the use of various rhetorical devices including imagery, metaphors, symbolism, and intonation, and how these elements contribute to the narrative's message of humanity beyond ethnicity and religion. It delves into the significance of the title, the use of email format, and the impact of specific quotes and phrases. The analysis also considers the author's persona, the portrayal of cultural stereotypes, and the overall political outlook presented in the work, providing a comprehensive understanding of the text's themes and literary merit.

Running head: ANALYZING RHETORICAL TECHNIQUES
ANALYZING RHETORICAL TECHNIQUES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The study focuses towards developing better understanding of the literary work “Emails
from Scheherazad” written by Mohja Kahf. The literarywork focuses on promoting the message
of humanity beyond ethnicity and religion. The tone uses aspects of pain, belonging, lament and
self-discovery. The rhetorical techniques that are used in “Emails from Scheherazad” and the
aspects that form essential parts of the narrative are discussed.
The title “E-mails from Scheherazad” signifies that the literary work, which is a
continuous flow of poems and proses is provided in the form of emails that describe the sender’s
search for self-identity in a hostile foreign environment. The opening phrase of the work create
the impression that the email is being sent to the beloved of Scheherazad. The first impression is
that Scheherazad is about to reveal her views of the world to her lover. The plot revolves around
the life of an Arab American woman. The collection of stories continuously refers to religion,
self-identity, culture clashes and the viewpoint of a woman. The “Hijab Scene #1” has a quote
“you dress strange” this is exactly from where the significant theme is established. The theme
takes the course of the conflict that exist between the culturally different homeland and the plight
of the ‘other’.
There are various important statements that are made throughout the rest of the work. For
example, one statement points to the grandmother of the writer just knowing one culture, “the
right one”. This statement proves that the writer is focused towards proving that her culture is
right in its own way. The author tries to bring forward the notion that cultures might differ but
are based on the same contexts of human wellbeing. The punctuations are used in effective ways.
The quote marks are used to emphasize on certain essential parts of a sentence. This helps to
bring forward the deeper meanings that can be derived from that sentence. Images are being used
definitely to create a picture on the reader’s mind. The image of Palestinian and Israeli fighters,

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women in hijab, Damascus and many other such elements are provided throughout. This alludes
to the conflict situation that exists. It points towards the conflict that still ensues in the Middle
East between Arabs and Jews and between the different Arab countries. The usage of metaphors
are used to emphasize on the major themes.
The sounds that are made are strong yet powerful as in the quote “she will be your wild
mare at night”. This connect to an inner meaning is obvious as the sentence can be said to have
no meaning if read alone. In one of the passages in “Hijab Scene #2” there is a phrase called the
secret freedom. The flavor is sweet and yet somewhat sour towards the end as it focuses on the
secretive nature of the freedom. The blank silence between the two works actually acts as a place
where the reader needs to read in between the lines.
The word piece used as in “my little mosque has a big sense of humor” provides an
understanding of religious roots. The pun is in regards to this particular aspect within the work.
Some of the words of the author might not have been fully considered. Thus, when one looks
into the aspect of high-elbowed billiards shot gives an image of a high society person. This might
not have been the original idea that the author would have intended. The phrase “secret freedom”
could mean many things at the same time. It can mean the restrictive nature of religion, the
nature of the new culture or the secret aspects that are connected with some freedom.
The allusion here is mostly connected to religion, which is Islam. Symbolism has been
used throughout the work as can be seen in “a Hamas sniper, a Mossad Assassin”. This depicts
the conflicts that the Middle East has endured over the years. Sunlight can indeed be said to be
representing hope in a new land. The work is focused towards essentially evaluating the factors
that affect a Muslim woman in the American society. The voice here is focused on self-

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identification in the midst of a hostile culture. The voice is concerning the cultural stereotypes
that have affected the American Muslims. The intonation is concerned with analyzing the
prospects of an American Arab.
The writer exaggerates the feelings of the Arab American Muslim woman, as in “she‘ll
pounce, a panther, to tear your flank”. The writer understates in regards to bringing out the
political factors that influence the American society against certain ethnic groups. The word
resurgence could have been used in the passage. The word could have made the point much
stronger than it originally is. The persona of the writer is that of a self-motivated seeker of peace
who is influenced by her religious roots. The passage provides a significant political outlook.
The outcome of the world being more like that described would mean that a stereotypical
confinement would be present.
The work is essential in the context of the Arab American’s view of the world and
American Society. The paper was able to delve deeper to garner better understanding of the text.
Perhaps the world can continue its stereotypical assumptions and only be returned with the form
of protest that is evident in the text.

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References
Alqahtani, S. M. (2017). Arab-American Poetic Resistance in E-Mails From
Scheherazad. Studies in Literature and Language, 14(5), 19-25.