The Role of Language and Identity in American War by Omar El Akkad (2017)

The Role of Language and Identity in American War by Omar El Akkad (2017)

Expanding the Roles:
American War by Omar El Akkad is a speculative novel set in a future America ravaged by climate change and civil war. The story follows the life of Sarat, a young girl who grows up in a divided country, struggling with the consequences of war and the loss of her family. The novel explores how war shapes identity, language, and the very structure of society. For literature students, this book offers a compelling look at the intersection of personal identity and global conflict.

• Language and Its Role in Identity Formation:
  Language plays a critical role in the novel, particularly as a tool for communication and control. Students can examine how El Akkad uses language to shape characters’ identities and to convey the power dynamics at play in a fractured society.

• War and Its Dehumanizing Effects:
  The impact of war on individual identity is a key theme, with Sarat’s transformation being a central focus of the narrative. Literature students can analyze how the novel illustrates the dehumanizing effects of war and the ways in which war changes people, often forcing them to become something they never imagined.

What We Learn:
Through American War, students can gain valuable insights into how language, identity, and war intersect in a dystopian world. The novel offers a platform for exploring how global events influence personal identity and societal structures.