Intertextuality

Several incidents in the novel resembles with original incidents of Zias regime.
There are certain moments in the novel where reader can straightforwardly identify
the text with real happenings of that time.
The plot of the novel revolves around the real incident of Zias plane crash in which
he was assassinated with many other high ranked army generals with Ambassador
of US named as Arnold Raphel. Furthermore, Many characters of the novel are
parody of the original political and and military figures such as Begum Shafiq Zia,
Akhtar Abdur Rehman, Mirza Aslam Baig, Mrs. Raphel, Director of CIA operations
Charles Cogan, Osama Bin Laden, Romanian Dictator Nicalae and US political
activist Joanne Herring.
Intertexuality in our lady alice bhatti
Just like a case of exploding mangoes, hanif second novel our lady alice bhatti is
also rich with elements of intertexuality. The novel is rich of literary devices like
Parody, Pastiche, Magical Realism, and humor.
The novel sketches perfect situation of contemporary political, social, and
economical situation of metroplitian city Karachi. Also novel highlights the ongoing
tusle between various ethnic groups in the city especially between Pathans and
Urdu speaking. Corruption, mismanagement and various other social evils that are
destroying the very concept of a nation.
The slogan written on hospital wall bhai your blood will bring revolution hints
towards a renowned political figure named as Altaf Hussain. The so called revolution
is actually harassment and assault of common masses by the military wing of
MQM. In Karachi prevails the law of jungle and only people like teddy are fit for
survival in that jungle. There are extra judicial killings; furthermore several people
are killed in Police custody because of injustice. Karachi is a city with population of
more than 20 million and for such a big population there are only 27000 policemen
to control them. So humanly this is not possible for such a small unit of police to
eradicate crimes and show some good performance like other police units Scotland
Yards.
One of the key themes of the novel is woman empowerment. It is a worldwide
dilemma that despite of all the social, political, and scientific advancement woman
is still treated as an object. Honor killing is common in Pakistan where hundreds of
women are killed every year and dilemma is there is no punishment for honor
killing. In eighty percent of honor killing the purpose is acquiring the wealth. And
when that woman is from minority, she is considered as untouchable.
They are allotted specific areas to live and deprived of basic necessities of life. They
are applicable for only one job and that is job as a sanitary worker. There are

certain hurdles for them to acquire education to change their social status and to
move in upper class. In the novel Miss. Hina Alvi is one example who twice married
the same man to change her social status. She deceits other people by pretending
herself as a devoted Muslim but from inside she is a devoted Christian.
Hospitals that are run by Government are having health facilities that are just
vague. Joseph hospital in the novel exactly portrayed such situation. Staff is not well
trained and doctors have no value for human life. Hanif compares Government
hospitals with slaughter house. Doctor-patient ratio is very low and same is the case
with hospital-patient ratio.
In countries like Pakistan situation is even worst. The protagonist of novel is killed
by her husband when he throws a bottle containing 1 liter of sulfuric acid. This
heinous crime is repeated every now and often. Islamic teachings do not allow such
brutal acts but this phenomenon is increasing day by day. The easy availability of
acid used for various industrial purposes makes it a cheap weapon to cause
immediate death
The novel also throw light on the burning issue of woman harassment at public
places and working places.