Abstract

This study investigates twenty-first-century teachers’ representation in the diasporic memoir of Dina Nayeri’s The Ungrateful Refugee and S. K. Ali’s novel Love from A to Z. The study explores how teachers are depicted in the two novels—delving into their roles and responsibilities. In addition, it draws a comparison between various categories of teachers. Moreover, it examines the potential impact of educators in shaping their students’ mindset and decision-making processes. Additionally, the study investigates the behavior of extremist teachers and explores their negative effects on their students. Furthermore, the study highlights how some extremist teachers exploit mass media to spread their discriminatory ideas. The aim of this inquiry is to shed light on teachers’ roles, which are not limited to being mere sources of knowledge. Furthermore, it intends to emphasize the crucial role of teachers as effective members of communities. These objectives are accomplished with reference to the cultural theory (1983), which emphasizes the various forces influencing human attitudes. Regarding the research methodology, the present study utilizes the analytical approach. This approach aims to depict similarities and differences between the chosen literary works concerning the events and characters’ behaviors that unfold during communication within their native culture and the Western culture, including the diaspora. Additionally, the study aligns with constructivism theory, which asserts that individuals actively construct their knowledge through experiences and interactions, further underscoring the role of teachers in shaping students’ perceptions and identities.