Tracing “Local” Cultural and Ideological Dimensions in Schimmel’s Pain and Grace

A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

The study is an enquiry into construction of local culture and ideological perspectives within Schimmel’s interpretive discourse. Discursive construction acquires significance due to local culture and ideological clues embedded within Schimmel’s interpretation of Sufi poetry. The investigation of a Western scholar’s profound understanding and evident inclination towards Sufi themes are the significant aspects that need to be looked into. Employment of research-based methods of enquiry for Sufi interpretive discourse, portrayal of various cultural aspects embedded within local cultural traditions, revival of various folk elements incorporated within Sufi interpretive discourse and formation of a positive image of Islamic concept of Sufism through promotion of cultural values are some of the prominent aspects signifying this study. Seeking insights from CDA, Fairclough’s three-dimensional model with textual, discursive and social dimensions was applied on a selected text from Schimmel’s Pain and Grace. The study reveals the evident instances of discursively constructed local culture through various indicators reflected through folk traditions, traditional love element, music, superstitions, Sufi beliefs and practices etc. The traces of Schimmel’s ideologies are evident through frequent ‘value assumptions’ through which she relates her beliefs with various Sufi, folk and cultural themes. Prominence of authorial voice reflected through maneuvering of intertextual references, frequency of Schimmel’s subjective stance and grasp over the minutest cultural details are indicative of a considerably adequate reconstruction of local culture within her interpretive discourse.