Narratives in Modern Arabic Literature
Explorations in Place, Gender, and Ṣūfī Motifs
Summary
"This book represents a comprehensive portrayal of human life - body, soul, time, and place - from a critical perspective of narrative literature. The author, Assadi, carefully selects and interacts with texts, demonstrating a thorough understanding of this art form, drawing from heritage while looking towards the future. It serves as a platform for self-expression, thought, and critique. I hope this inspiring and distinctive journey will open the door for further exploration."
—Professor Dr. Ahmed Safaa Abdul Aziz Al-Ani, Professor of Language and Discourse Analysis, University of Anbar, Iraq - Baghdad March 5, 2024
Excerpt
Table Of Contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- About the author
- About the book
- This eBook can be cited
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter One Introduction
- 1. Interwoven Narratives: Unveiling Modern Arabic Literature, Criticism, and Academic Imperatives
- 2. Transformative Threads: Modern Arabic Literature and Criticism Unveiled
- 3. Narratives in Modern Arabic Literature: A Key Contribution to Contemporary Arabic Criticism
- 4. Setting the Stage: Exploring Narratives in Modern Arabic Literature
- 4.1. Overview of the Themes: Place, Gender, and Ṣūfī Motifs
- 4.1.1. The Dynamic Role of Place in Literature: From Framework to Catalyst
- 4.1.2. Gender Dynamics: Narratives of Masculinity in Arabic Literature and Explorations of Identity in Western Contexts
- 4.1.3. Navigating the Spiritual and Symbolic Landscape of Modern Arabic Literature
- 5. Structure of the Book
- Cited Works
- Chapter Two The Multifaceted Manifestation of Place in Modern Arabic Literature
- Part One: The Enigmatic Realms in Nagib Mahfouz’s The Nights of One Thousand Nights
- Part Two: Unveiling the Web of Place in Ibrahim Al-Kōnī’s From The Desert’s Myths
- The Enigmatic Realms in Nagib Mahfouz’s The Nights of One Thousand Nights
- 1. Introduction: Unraveling the Significance of Place in Narrative Texts
- 2. The Tangible Landscape
- 3. The Mysterious Realm: Superstitious Places in Mahfouz’s Novel
- 4. Mobile Realms: Water’s Dynamic Landscape in the Novel
- 5. The Dream Place
- 6. Conclusion
- Cited Works
- Unveiling the Tapestry of Place in Ibrahim Al-Kōnī’s From The Desert’s Myths
- 1. Setting: The Intricate Tapestry of the Desert Landscape
- 2. The Function of Place in the Novel
- 3. The Implication of Geographical Sceneries
- 4. Unveiling the Locale: Linguistic Craftsmanship
- 5. Conclusion: Place as Dynamic Narrative Force in Al-Kōnī’s Novel and Beyond
- Cited Works
- Chapter Three Gender Dynamics in Arabic Fiction: Portraying Masculinity in Nawal Al-Saadawi’s Universe
- 1. Introduction: Exploring Nawal Al-Saadawi’s Literary Canvas
- 2. Patriarchal Dominance: Representations of Authority in Specific Texts
- 3. Hostile Portrayals: Al-Saadawi’s Depiction of Men and Women in Conflict
- 4. Literary Devices: The Artistic Tool of Irony
- 4.1. The Device of Paradox and Dualities in Figures
- 5. Al-Saadawi’s Literary Tapestry: A Complex Interplay of Ideology, Irony, and Conflict
- Cited Works
- Chapter Four Embodied Spirituality: Exploring Ṣūfī Motifs in Modern Arabic Fiction
- Part One: Sacred Threads: Female Ṣūfī Archetypes in Contemporary Arabic Literature
- Part Two: Unveiling Ṣūfī Motifs in The Fetishists by Ibrahim Al-Kōnī
- Part One: Sacred Threads: Female Ṣūfī Archetypes in Contemporary Arabic Literature
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Exploring Ṣūfī Motifs in Salih’s Mawsim al-Hijrah ilâ al-Shamâl
- 3. Divine Threads: Unraveling Ṣūfī Motifs in Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love
- 4. Ephemeral Eternity: Ṣūfī Motifs in Hasan Alwan’s A Little Death
- 5. Women in Ṣūfī Motifs: A Concluding Exploration in Modern Arabic Fiction
- Cited Works
- Unveiling Ṣūfī Motifs in The Fetishists by Ibrahim Al-Kōnī
- 1. Introduction: Ṣūfī Tapestry in Ibrāhīm al-Koni’s Literary Landscape
- 2. The Setting: The Spiritual Sands and Ṣūfī Connotations
- 3. Characters: Ghosts in an Imagined Reality
- 4. The Plot Unveiled: Journeys of Ascension and Challenges
- 5. Conclusion Embracing the Spiritual Oasis: Al-Kōnī’s Multifaceted Tapestry
- Cited Works
- Chapter Five Diving into Narrative Layers in Son’allah Ibrahim’s Sharaf
- 1. Introduction: Interweaving Reality and Ideology
- 2. The Dramatic Tapestry of Sharaf’s Odyssey
- 3. Inside Sharaf’s Mind: Unmasking Truths through Narrative Layers
- 4. Beyond Words: Commentary through Connotative Narratives
- 5. The Information Nexus: Bridging Prison Life with the Outside World
- 6. Echoes of the Past: Confessional Depths
- 7. The Discerning Narrative Layer: Authorial Commentary
- 8. The Documentary Chronicle: The Newspaper Excerpts of Dr. Nassif
- 9. Sharaf: Navigating the Labyrinth of Experimental Realism
- Cited Works
- Chapter Six Conclusion
- Diverse Themes and Dynamics in Modern Arabic Literature: A Comprehensive Exploration
- Afterword Future Avenues: Trends and Developments
- Bibliography
Acknowledgments
I am deeply grateful to my friends, colleagues, and students whose unwavering support and encouragement have been invaluable throughout this journey. Your guidance, feedback, and encouragement have contributed significantly to the completion of this book.
To the soul of my father and to my mother, to my beloved family, especially my wife Dalia, my children, and my grandchildren, your love, understanding, and patience have sustained me through the highs and lows of the writing process. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my greatest inspiration.
I dedicate this book to the real thirsty, the real hungry, the undressed, and the oppressed by the power of darkness. May this work serve as a beacon of hope and enlightenment, guiding those in need towards a brighter path.
With heartfelt gratitude,
J. A.
Chapter One
Introduction
1. Interwoven Narratives: Unveiling Modern Arabic Literature, Criticism, and Academic Imperatives
Before embarking on the project of this book, there is a need to review the transformative threads that have shaped modern Arabic literature and criticism. So, this section explores the sophisticated evolution of Arabic literature, tracing its roots to the contact between the Arab world and the West during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It highlights the interplay between tradition, translation, and external cultural encounters, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the literary development. The narrative further unfolds to illuminate the 20th-century landscape of Arabic literary criticism, marked by a harmonious blend of traditional approaches and European influences. The emergence of key figures, the evolution of literary genres, and the shifting socio-political dynamics contribute to a subtle understanding of the critical discourse. Additionally, this section emphasizes the academic imperative of understanding pivotal themes such as place, gender, and Ṣūfī motifs in modern Arabic literature, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of these elements in subsequent chapters.
2. Transformative Threads: Modern Arabic Literature and Criticism Unveiled
The evolution towards modern Arabic literature is an embroidery woven through interactions between the Arab world and the West during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This elaborate weaving of cultural influences marked a departure from Classical Arabic forms, ushering in the emergence of novel genres such as plays, novels, and short stories. The precise date of this transformation remains elusive, yet it is intimately connected to the Nahda or Arab Renaissance (Starkey, 2006).
Simultaneously, the 20th century witnessed a transformative journey in Arabic literary criticism, with a harmonious blend of traditional approaches and European influences. Figures like ʿAbbās Maḥmūd al-ʿAqqād and Ṭāhā Ḥusayn emerged as influential critics, steering a delicate balance between literary experimentation and adherence to tradition. This era began with a focus on text analysis, linguistic nuances, and aesthetic considerations reminiscent of pre-modern critical traditions rooted in Arabic literary heritage.
The encounter with European literature, notably influenced by Romanticism and subsequent schools of thought, played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of Arabic literary criticism. Arab intellectuals, exposed to European literary theories, sought to reconcile the two traditions, resulting in a reevaluation of literature’s role within the Arab literary landscape (Allen, Britannica 2018). The return of Arab students from Europe infused new perspectives, introducing different literary genres such as the novel, short story, and literary drama.
The mid to late 20th century saw shifts in critical discourse as the Arab world underwent profound political transformations. Critics like Luwīs ʿAwaḍ, Maḥmūd Amīn al-ʿĀlim, Ḥusayn Muruwwah, and ʿUmar al-Fākhūrī emphasized a literature of “commitment,” aligning creative endeavors with the political aspirations of Arab nations (Cooke, 1987, 277–96).
The late 20th-century critical discourse grappled with defining modernity and addressing issues of “particularity.” Adonis, with works like Al-Thābit wa al-mutaḥawwil, (the fixed and the variable) called for a continual reevaluation of attitudes towards literature, initiating discussions on “particularity” that reflected a growing awareness of the diverse Arabic-speaking world (Jayyusi, 2005 and Cooke, 1987).
The growth of Arabic literary criticism in the 20th century reveals a dynamic interplay between traditional roots, European influences, and responses to geopolitical shifts. This ongoing dialogue between the past and the present, tradition and innovation, defines a critical landscape that continues to evolve into the 21st century.
3. Narratives in Modern Arabic Literature: A Key Contribution to Contemporary Arabic Criticism
This book, Narratives in Modern Arabic Literature: Explorations in Place, Gender, and Ṣūfī Motifs, promises a unique and academically significant contribution to the field of Arabic literature studies. The book’s structure and thematic focus set it apart, providing a comprehensive exploration of fundamental elements within modern Arabic literature, namely Place, Gender, and Ṣūfī Motifs. It explores the multi-layered role of place, not merely as a backdrop but as a dynamic force shaping narratives. Through meticulous analysis of iconic works, such as Nagib Mahfouz’s The Nights of One Thousand Nights and Ibrahim Al-Kōnī’s From The Desert’s Myths, the researcher illuminates the profound impact of place on the structure and thematic elements of these literary masterpieces. Moreover, the exploration of Nawal Al-Saadawi’s depiction of masculinity challenges traditional gender norms, offering a nuanced understanding of identity in Arabic literature. The study confronts societal expectations, reflecting on the broader implications of Saadawi’s narratives. This section not only contributes to the understanding of gender dynamics in Arabic literature but also offers a bridge to Western literature’s exploration of identity.
Details
- Pages
- X, 152
- Publication Year
- 2024
- ISBN (PDF)
- 9783034350075
- ISBN (ePUB)
- 9783034350082
- ISBN (Hardcover)
- 9783034350068
- DOI
- 10.3726/b21975
- Language
- English
- Publication date
- 2024 (September)
- Keywords
- Modern Arabic Literature Place Gender Ṣūfī Motifs Identity Cultural Studies Comparative Literature
- Published
- New York, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, Oxford, 2024. X, 152 pp.
- Product Safety
- Peter Lang Group AG
