Week 2: 9/21-9/25

Mon, 9/21 – General literary theory: the novel

  1. Literary vocabulary: narrative, plot, story and discourse
  2. History of the genre: social, economic, political, philosophical contexts

Sterling Prose

perfect words

Notes to Eagleton reading: “What is a Novel?”

Hwk: Salma Khadra Jayyusi, “Introduction” (pp. 1-11) from Modern Arabic Fiction (ERes); Readings from the Qur’an, Kalila and Dimna, the maqamah genre, al-Ma’arri’s The Letters of Forgiveness, Hayy ibn Yaqzan, and The Arabian Nights.

As you read the selections of classical Arabic prose and narrative, consider how do these texts conform with or depart from the characteristics of a novel as described in Eagleton’s “What is a Novel?” (see the powerpoint posted above for assistance).  Be prepared to discuss your thoughts in class.

Pre-Modern Arabic Prose

The Qur’an: Surat Yusuf

Kalila and Dimna

Epistle of Forgiveness

Hayy ibn Yaqzan

Arabian Nights

The maqama of Hulwān

Wed, 9/23 – Arabic literary history: pre-modern prose

  1. The Qur’an
  2. Kalila wa-Dimna
  3. The Epistle of Forgiveness
  4. Hayy ibn Yaqzan
  5. The maqama genre
  6. The Arabian Nights

 

Hwk: Yoav Di-Capua, “Nahda: the Arab project of enlightenment” in The Cambridge Companion to Modern Arab Culture; Jurji Zaydan, “Reality and Illusions or The Essence of Things and Appearances”, “Social Sense”, and “Admitting to Error is Right” from Jurji Zaidan: Contributions to Modern Arab Thought and Literature; Written homework #2