Topic: Literary Engagement in the Modern Arabic Novel
Background:
Literary commitment – that is to say, the engagement of literature in social and political change – was (and continues to be) a touchstone of debate for Arab authors, readers, and literary critics. Articulating the belief that Arab writers have a moral duty to use their craft to imbue an activist consciousness in the hearts and minds of their readers, Arab novelist, sociologist, and literary critic, Halim Barakat has the following to say:
“A writer could not be part of Arab society and yet not concern himself with change. To be oblivious to tyranny, injustice, poverty, deprivation, victimization, repression, is insensitivity proper. I would even say that writing about Arab society without concerning oneself with change is a sort of engagement in irrelevancies” (Barakat, 126-127).
In contrast, novelist Mahmud Mas’adi argues that Arab writers must be able to enjoy complete artistic freedom from the “bondage of political commitment” if they wish to do so: “[The writer] would be rendering a sufficient and honorable service if, in turning completely away from all problems related to Arab nationalism, he was still capable of enriching the minds of his readers, enlarging their vision of the world, sharpening their awareness of life and of their essential humanity” (Badawi, 23).
Question:
How do the novels that we’ve read in class orient themselves with respect to the positions staked out by Mas’adi and Barakat? What do the authors of the novels communicate about the role (or lack thereof) of literature in inspiring social and political change? How do the texts reflect the changing currents of this debate from the colonial to the post-colonial eras? How is the question of literary engagement written into the very texts? In short, please address how the literary philosophy of engagement intersects with the Arabic novel through evidence drawn from the works we’ve encountered thus far in class.
Mechanics:
- Your paper must be 6-pages long. Short papers will be subject to a subtraction of points.
- Your paper must be double spaced, 1 inch margins on all sides, using the Times font, size 12.
- When citing sources, please adhere to the MLA format (generally used for the liberal arts and humanities). Scroll down towards the bottom of the website to find the rules for in-text citation. You’ll use in-text citation whenever you cite a primary or secondary source. Note: the in-text citation is followed by punctuation; example: “quote” (Name, page number). You must include a bibliography of sources at the end of your paper; refer to the top of the MLA site for the different bibliographical formats for different types of media (print book, journal article, e-book etc.).
Research:
In addition to quoting the novels that we’ve read, please find track down at least one other secondary source that addresses literary commitment in modern Arabic literature. You are free to use the books I’ve placed on reserve at the Davis Family Library for this purpose. You may also find the following encyclopedia useful: Julie Meisami & Paul Starkey, Encyclopedia of Arabic Literature (in the reference section of the Davis Family Library, in-library use only). Browsing through the PJ7500’s in the Davis Family will also turn up some useful sources – be adventurous!
There are also a number of excellent journals that are accessible online through the Davis Family Library (requires login); you may want to take a look at the following:
Alif: Journal of Comparative Poetics
Finally, there are some online resources that are worth taking a look at (although be aware that not are all peer-edited, academic sources and as such, might not be as reliable as the resources I’ve listed above):
Banipal (online journal of modern Arabic literature, including translations)
Arablit (blog dedicated to the discussion and analysis of Arabic literature)
Cornell Arabic Literature Resources (site with many links to other excellent online resources)
Arab Women Writers (blog dedicated to Arab women writers)
Process:
Step 1
For Monday’s class (11/2), write the introductory paragraph of your paper and write an outline of your paper according to following the template:
(downloaded from http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/resources/ctlr/students/writing_support/writing_resources, accessed 10/29/2015)
For evidence, please provide all of the citations you plan on using to buttress individual arguments that you make.
Note: Leave blank the field with the questions: “Does the next paragraph build directly on the one before? How?” This question will be answered by one of your colleagues in class on Monday.
Please email me your outlines and introductory paragraphs as pdf files before class on Monday, 11/2.
Step 2
Email me your completed paper by class time on Monday, 11/9. You will receive a grade for this draft and it will thus be as close to perfect as you can make it.
Step 3
I will send you a corrected version of your paper with my comments during the following week. You will have a week following receipt of the corrected version of your paper to re-submit your paper for an improved grade. This final step is voluntary.