THE REPRESENTATION OF MUSLIM MARRIAGE IN LYRICS “AMERICAN WEDDING” BY FRANK OCEAN: AN ORIENTALISM ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study explores the representation of Muslim women in marriage discourse through a qualitative analysis of the lyrics in Frank Ocean's song "American Wedding" (2011), employing Edward Said's theory of Orientalism. The research examines how the song portrays cultural practices associated with Muslim women, such as arranged marriage, polygamy, and the wearing of the hijab, while also reflecting broader themes of identity, gender roles, and cultural tensions. Using textual analysis as the primary method, this study investigates how the lyrics illustrate the clash between Western and Islamic perspectives on marriage, drawing on Said's concept of the "Other" to analyze the portrayal of Muslim women. The findings suggest that the song challenges stereotypical representations of Muslim women in Western media, offering a more complex and multifaceted view of cultural assimilation and individual agency. Through the lens of Orientalism, the study highlights how Western discourse often constructs Muslim women as subjects of cultural and moral critique, while also recognizing the power dynamics involved in the negotiation of traditional and modern values. This research underscores the role of contemporary music in shaping and contesting societal narratives about gender, culture, and identity, with particular attention to how Western media constructs the image of the Muslim "Other." By using Edward Said's framework, the study demonstrates how "American Wedding" can be seen as a commentary on the challenges Muslim women face in balancing cultural expectations with personal autonomy, while simultaneously questioning the power relations embedded in the representation of Muslim women in Western discourse.