Yasmina Necklace Analysis

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Yasmina’s Necklace

Yasmina’s Necklace is a dark comedy that revolves around two Muslim families and their children: Abdul Samee Marcario Lopez Hassan, a wealthy Muslim-American man born and raised in Chicago, IL; and Yasmina, a strong independent, woman who is an Iraqi Refugee. As the two’s relationship unfolds both help each other heal and grow in ways they never imagined. The play focuses on the couple’s relationship among a myriad of themes related to social justice, such as racism in the form of Islamophobia, ableism, classism, and ageism.
One of the key themes in the play revolves around Islamophobia in America. The play opens on Abdul Samee Marcario Lopez Hassan who is having an argument with his parents over changing his name to “Sam.” Abdul Samee’s reason for changing his name is due to the high amounts of Islamophobia and racism in the corporate world. He is trying to “play the game” in order to obtain a good job. Although everyone in America is supposedly guaranteed an equal chance, Abdul Samee notes that the moment he changed his name to “Sam” on his resume, he received multiple calls and job offers. Furthermore, Yasmina reveals in the play that she works at a grocery store in …show more content…

Upon arrival to Yasmina’s apartment, Sara, Abdul Samee’s mother, is discontent with the home. When she learns that Yasmina and her father are refugees, Sara wants to leave immediately. She believes that a refugee is not suitable for her son and that their family is too high in stature to be marrying below themselves. Yasmina’s father also reveals that he is unemployed due to his dental credentials not transferring to the United States. This adds to Sara’s discomfort with her son potentially being in a relationship with Yasmina. Abdul Samee’s father states that since Abdul Samee is going through a divorce he is damaged goods; thus, none of the upper-class families would have him, and they must settle for what they can

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