Topic > Exit West: War Politics in Literature

IndexIntroductionThe symbolism of water in Exit WestConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionIn media and literature, water has been a recurring scene, in which the precariousness of refugees is captured. Since the open ocean is a different place than the ends of the earth, it is important to note that water and refugees cannot fully fit into the logistics of nation-states. Although the world is 71% water, and most of it is claimed by sovereignties to compete for natural resources and engage in trade routes, as defined by UNCLOS, the individual nation is not guaranteed the right to claim water beyond certain miles off their coasts. In practice, however ambiguous the ownership of water may seem, water carries political implications for refugee passage. Therefore, it is important for us to consider the material and metaphorical role that water plays behind the politics of the refugee crisis, including its role in Exit West. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Water Symbolism in Exit West First, water is rendered with a conceptual elusiveness that sophisticates simplified claims of sovereignty and security between nations. The spatiality of the ocean dissolves the clear demarcation of national borders and political power. The flaws between sovereignties raise questions about the power structure of the current border state-based refugee solution. Trapped in the unowned space between countries, refugees expose the problematic existing structure of citizenship, protection and human rights, as the nation state fails to act as a responsible arbiter for refugees. In this sense, water carries with it the political implication linked to the theme of the expropriation of refugees who were already unable to be categorized in the regulations of the nation-state, evoking the theme of loss, separation or deprivation. Exit West, a refugee drama, which tells the story of a migrant couple, does not seek to bring wholeness to the exile community or advocate for the repeal of national borders. Instead, he rewrites the world as a place permanently but wonderfully invaded by refugees and migrants, as “we all migrants over time.” The boundaries of the world are redistributed by mysterious doors throughout the open-air world, eradicating geographical boundaries. Hopefully, the novel focuses on the trend of globalism and cultural unity. Like water without fixed shape or boundary, neoliberalism could be an alternative solution to the international refugee crisis. Another implication is that, like the soluble quality of water, some refugee aid agencies function as a depoliticizing force. For example, “volunteer humanitarianism” is new humanitarian aid provided voluntarily by grassroots organizations without authoritative funding or oversight. Faced with the inhumane situation of the refugee crisis, untrained volunteers in Calais camp, France, spontaneously form a wave to assist refugees with food, shelter, water and so on. Because voluntary humanitarianism permeates every corner of the refugee community, it acts not only as a symbol against authoritative government policies, but also as an alternative to formal humanitarian assistance, such as that of the UNHCR. Like the effect of water erosion, neoliberal humanitarian assistance trains cutting-edge activist groups to challenge accepted migration policies. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion In.