Prof Rauf Tahir explores self, authorship and identity in Yiyun Li’s ‘The Book of Goose’

The relationship between storytelling, authorship and personal identity came under discussion in a literary conversation featuring Prof. Rauf Tahir, associate professor of English at Government Islamia College, Railway Road, and academic adviser to Farooqi Schools.

The discussion, titled “The Self, Authorship and Identity in Yiyun Li’s The Book of Goose,” featured Prof. Tahir in conversation with Abeera Bukhari, focusing on the relationship between literary expression, individual identity and the role of storytelling in shaping perceptions of the self.

The conversation centred on Yiyun Li’s novel The Book of Goose, examining questions concerning the relationship between an author’s voice, the construction of fictional narratives and the complexities of personal identity.

The literary discussion also provided an opportunity to consider how storytelling can become a means of exploring individual experiences and the relationship between those who create narratives and those whose lives are represented within them.

The selected novel served as the basis for examining the relationship between fiction and identity, particularly the questions of authorship and the extent to which individuals shape or are shaped by the stories associated with them.

The conversation was presented as an educational resource for teachers, students and parents, encouraging engagement with literary interpretation and critical reading.

Prof. Tahir, who also serves as adviser for academics at Farooqi Schools, participated in the discussion as part of an initiative to promote literary engagement and reflection on themes explored in contemporary fiction.

Teachers, students and parents have been invited to watch the conversation and engage with its exploration of storytelling, authorship and personal identity.

The discussion is available online under the title “The Self, Authorship and Identity in Yiyun Li’s The Book of Goose.”