The Controversial Dialectic of the "Self" and the "Other" in Alexander Buzo’s Norm and Ahmed
Abstract
Alexander Buzo's Norm and Ahmed is one of the most outstanding Australian plays dealing with general human yet contemporary issues of particular interest in post-colonial studies as well as multi-cultural literature. This paper explores the play in terms of the problems of racial prejudice, social mobility, and the isolation of non-English speaking immigrants in Australia in the 60's, who are aliens in color, religion, and culture. In addition, it examines the character of Norm, who not only exists in a multicultural neighborhood of a growing city, but also suffers from the isolation from his own white race. Therefore, he seeks someone to communicate with, but that encounter, which happens to be with a young Pakistani student, eventually juxtaposes the numerous differences and overtones of an “Aussie†and an “otherâ€; leading to an unexpected clash not only on a personal level but also on a cultural one. Â
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References
• Barry, Helen. http://www.australianstage.com.au
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• Ginters, Laura, "Glimpsing the Hidden World: Australian Directors on Rehearsal". Catching Australian Theatre in the 2000s, Richard Fotheringham and James Smith (editors), 15, 2013, 45-78.
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• Sturm, Terry. (n.d.) Alexander Buzo: Norm and Ahmed and Rooted, Studies in Australian Drama. Currency Press, Sydney.
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