The image of Muslims in American Cinema: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Selected Movies

Abstract

This research paper aims to investigate the linguistic features used in the Republican or Right-Wing representation of Muslims in some selected Hollywood movies and the effect of these linguistic features on shaping the image of Muslims in the audience’s minds. By using Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis CDA model, the research aims to investigate the relationship between text and social practice. It will examine how the discourse used in these movies is shaped by the social order and the attitude of the American society toward Muslims by placing this discourse within its cultural and sociopolitical context and then interpreting the findings in the light of Abdel-Wahhab El-Misiri's and Edward Said’s ideas. The data selected for the analysis is taken from a number of Hollywood movies that were produced in the period around the attacks of 9/11.