Kuwait

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olatunbosun Ishaq Tijani
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
Philosophical Novel

This chapter discusses the development of the novelistic tradition in Kuwait. It first provides an overview of the beginnings of modern Kuwaiti literature, focusing on the efflorescence of the short story and the rise and maturation of the novel genre. It then considers Kuwaiti novels that depicted the events and effects of the Iraq-Kuwait War of 1990–1991, led by Walīd al-Rujayb’s Ṭalqa fī ṣadr al-shamāl (1992, A Shot in the Chest of the North). It also examines works that tackled the social conditions of Kuwaiti society in pre-oil and post-oil times, gender inequality, and other social justice issues such as immigration, poverty, and the Bidūn question. Finally, it charts the emergence of the historical and the philosophical novel, along with science fiction, as subgenres of the Kuwaiti novel.

scholarly journals POETICS OF CYCLIZATION IN THE PROSE OF YURIY BUYDA

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-80
Author(s):  
Marina P. Abasheva ◽  
◽  
Mariya V. Kurilenko ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Short Story ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Russian Literature ◽  
General Interest ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Text Generation ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Literary Forms ◽  
The Social ◽  
The One

The article studies the poetics of the contemporary writer Yuriy Buyda in the context of the contemporary Russian short story. The analysis of historically specific forms of Buyda’s cyclization is considered as part of the general tasks of historical poetics in studying the evolution of literary forms. Structural and semiotic analysis of the writer’s works reveals that his prose forms peculiar cycles-clusters, ‘archipelagos’, where a cycle of stories appears to be related to novels. This connection is primarily determined by the setting, but also by recurring heroes and a specific – cumulative rather than cyclical – plot that traces its origin to myth. Through the example of one such cluster of texts – the cycles Zhungli, Gates of Zhungli (Vrata Zhungley) (2011), Lions and Lilies (L’vy i Lilii) (2013), the novel Blue Blood (Sinyaya krov’) and related works – the paper investigates the nature and logic of the depicted world, the mechanisms of its intra-textual connections, as well as the genesis due to both the nature of the author’s artistic thinking and the social, historical and literary, biographical context. Thus, we can observe a tendency of transcending the genre boundaries of a story or novel in favor of hypertext rhizomatic formations – based on mythologizing strategies. These features correlate with the general interest of contemporary Russian literature in collections of short stories, on the one hand, and the contemporary novel’s leaning to disintegration of a single narrative and fragmentation, on the other. It is possible that the tendencies toward hypertext strategies for text generation are determined by the general properties of modern thinking and social communication since today the social morphology of society is built in the form of networks.

scholarly journals The Concept of “Thrownness” in Algis Budrys's Short Story “Wall of Crystal, Eye of Night”

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (45) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
Svetozar Poštič
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Meaning Of Life ◽  
Literary Analysis ◽  
Being And Time ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Main Character ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
German Philosopher

This paper analyses the concept of thrownness and the related notions of immediacy and actuality in a 1961 short science fiction story “Wall of Crystal, Eye of Night” by Algis Budrys. It first defines the concept of thrownness (Geworfenheit), created and coined by the German philosopher Martin Heidegger in his classic book Being and Time, and it explains how this notion can be employed in literary analysis in general and applied to this work in particular. The article then analyses how certain stylistic devices in the short story, namely similes, change of pace and the presentation of an inner conflict in the main character, contribute to the feeling of authenticity. In other words, it attempts to exhibit the means used in a prose work to make it seem more realistic and immediate. Finally, the work also argues that science fiction is in many ways more real than other fictional works. Although it belongs to the genre that has traditionally been denied serious literary merit, the novel view and interpretation of this story aims to disclose new horizons of artistic expression that illuminate human mental and physical frailty and stimulate a valuable inquiry into the meaning of life.

scholarly journals Two crossbows and a carbine: Out of the commentary on A.N. and B.N. Strugatsky’s novel “Hard to be a God”

2020 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Irina N. Arzamastseva ◽  
Alexander V. Kuznetsov
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Fiction Writers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sea Monster ◽  
Intertextual Connections

The article is devoted to the study of the functions of the characters’ weapons in A.N. and B.N. Strugatsky’s novel “Hard to be a God”. It is important for writing a commentary on the prologue of the novel. The authors used the historical-typological and mythopoetic research methods. As the result of reviewing the history of words-concepts, as it made by A.N. Veselovsky, the authors managed to study the intertextual connections of “Hard to be a God” with V.T. Shalamov’s poem “Crossbow” and his story “May”, as well as N.S. Gumilev’s poem “Just looks through the cliffs...” and E. Hemingway’s play “The fifth column”. Through these connections, the image of weapons is formed in the work of science fiction writers. It is necessary to destruct the mythological enemy – the sea monster, which symbolizes the social evil within the novel framework. As we have found out, the reason for such an intricate symbolism lies in the peculiarities of the age: the image of the sea monster standing for public evil is due to historical reasons. And since the elimination of social problems by such radical methods, according to the authors, is impossible, the movement towards a bright future should be only gradual and peaceful. As in reality, weapons are fundamentally unable to perform their task. Moreover, the weapon is dangerous for its owner, which indicates the ambivalence of the image. In addition, the comparison, important for the novel “Hard to be God”, of the past and future appears the first in the comparison of crossbows and carbines, further developing by other means. Weapons are involved in creating a number of important motives: doom, the danger of using force, and interference in the course of history.

scholarly journals Citizens of nowhere: undocumented migrants in Regina Rheda’s narratives

2019 ◽  
pp. 19-33
Author(s):  
Ligia C Bezerra
Keyword(s):  
Short Story ◽  
First Century ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Undocumented Migrants ◽  
Economic Crises ◽  
The South ◽  
Undocumented Workers ◽  
Work Relations ◽  
The North ◽  
Point Of Departure

This article presents an analysis of the representation of Brazilian migrants in two narratives by writer Regina Rheda: the novel Pau-de-arara classe turística (1996) and the short story “O santuário” (2002). Taking as a point of departure Saskia Sassen’s work on global labor circuits at the turn of the twenty-first century, I argue that Rheda represents the Brazilian migrants in question as “citizens of nowhere.” Her characters acquire this status as economic crises resulting from a neoliberal agenda transform work relations between the South and the North of the globe, limiting their access to basic citizen rights in their own country. At the same time, their condition as undocumented workers in the countries to where they migrate relegates them to exploitation and, therefore, stresses the precariousness of their situation as citizens.

scholarly journals Seeking Asylum, Speaking Silence

Barnboken ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen King
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Context ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Trauma Narratives ◽  
Trauma Narrative ◽  
National Centre ◽  
The Social ◽  
Socially Situated

“How could she ever put those terrible pictures into words?” (Naidoo, Truth 51). This question is at the heart of Beverley Naidoo’s The Other Side of Truth (2000), which narrates the trauma of Nigerian asylum seeker children Sade and Femi as they flee to Britain. Speech and silence are ambivalent within the text, fluctuating in meaning dependant on the social context in which they are enacted. Showing this text to be primarily a narrative of activism, I explore how Naidoo’s representations of trauma inform her critique of the British immigration system. This text invites a reading that draws on recent postcolonial theories of trauma. Using both textual and paratextual analysis of the novel and Naidoo’s archive, held by Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books in Britain, I draw on Forter’s model of psychosocial trauma to demonstrate that the trauma the protagonists face is a result of their encounter with a racist society and bureaucracy. Reflecting Kertzer’s claim that social justice should be central in trauma narratives for children, Naidoo shows healing from trauma to be the locus of political awakening for both characters and implied reader. The aim of this article is to integrate contemporary models of postcolonial trauma with an understanding of the activist nature of Naidoo’s work, showing that in this sort of children’s trauma narrative, the site of healing from trauma is simultaneously the site of social change. Since the trauma that the child protagonists face is a social phenomenon, the speech that allows the children to begin to heal is similarly socially situated, and their healing is synonymous with social justice.

scholarly journals The Role of Influential Dynasties and Local Families in Urban Development and Political Centrality of Shushtar in Khuzestan Province During Safavid Era

2020 ◽  
pp. 615-622
Author(s):  
Masoud Vali Arab ◽  
Hamid Asad Pour ◽  
Hamid Peighambary ◽  
Ali Rasouli
Keyword(s):  
Social Values ◽  
Ethnic Origin ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
Political Life ◽  
The Political ◽  
Ethnic Conflicts ◽  
Khuzestan Province ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social

Shushtar as one of the most important cities of Khuzestan in safavid era was inhabited by some officials and rulers mostly due to its specific geographical, strategic and military situation during the rule of Safavid dynasty. The establishment of new villages in Shushtar and its surroundings areas by the local rulers caused this city to grow and develop more. In the same regard, due to the entering of many different clans and tribes to Shushtar in the Safavid period, extensive ethnic conflicts emerged in this city. Turk Qizilbash (Shamlus, Rumlus, Afshars, Ustodjlus, Turkmens, and Dulghadirs), Chagatai family, Circassia, Georgians, great religious scholars from Jabal Amel region, Jazayeri and Kalantar Sadats were among the tribes and clans entering Shushtar in the Safavid period. At the end of this period, natural disasters such as flood influenced Shushtar status both socially and politically to a great extent. The current study attempts to describe the political and social conditions of Shushtar during the Safavid period, aiming to answer this question: Why was Shushtar under the spotlight by the Safavid rulers and inhabited by most governmental rulers and authorities? It is hypothesized in this study that due to the geographical and military situation, Shushtar have always been considered as a defensive barrier by the Safavids against Mushashaiyah central bases in the South of Khuzestan, and Ranshis bases in the North of Khuzestan and also against Bakhtiyari Khans. Unquestionably, taking into consideration the topics such as ethnic origin, tribal interests, occupation state, religious and social values, and changing or modification of each case can give provide us with some useful information about the social and political life of Shushtar in the Safavid period.

scholarly journals Kondisi Sosial Rakyat Suriah Pasca Revolusi 2011 Dalam Novel Ayyām Fī Bābā ‘Amrū Karya Abdullah Maksūr: Analisis Sosiologi Sastra

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Istiqomah
Keyword(s):  
Social Reality ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
Syrian Revolution ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Revolution

Ayyām fī Bābā 'Amrū novel by Abdullah Maksūr is one of novels that came out after the Arab Spring that hit Syria. The revolution in Syria occurred because of the people's desire to overthrow al-Assad regime which had been in power for decades. Demonstrations in Syria then ended into a civil war that never ended until now. This novel takes the story of the condition of Syrian society after the Syrian revolution erupted in 2011 and describes the conflict between the military and the Syrian people. This study aims to reveal the social conditions experienced by Syrians of the Syrian revolution based on data in the Ayyām fī Bābā 'Amrū novel, the social reality of Syrian society, and the relationship between the structure of the text and the social reality of Syrian society. The theory used in this study is Alan Swingewood's the sociology of literature theory with the concept that literary work is a mirror of the age. The method used is the literary of sociology method which is a moving method of literary data. The results of this study indicate that there are several causes of the Syrian revolution mentioned in the novel, such as the desire to be free from a regime that has been in power for decades, corruptions, inspired by other Arab countries, and a long-held hatred. The social conditions experienced by the Syrian people during the revolution were experiencing intimidation from the military, the people were arrested without any fault, some Syrians were tortured in military prisons, shootings, bombings and chaos in several cities, some girls experienced sexual harassment, the people were divided between supporting the regime or opposition, and most Syrians flee to neighboring countries. The social condition that occurs in the novel is a representation of the social reality that occurred in Syrian society after the revolution in 2011.

Career Development Theories from the Global South

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Afonso Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Global South ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global North

The career development field has produced theories from the Global North that have been imported and applied in the Global South countries. These theories were developed in different socioeconomic and cultural contexts than those of the Global South, which can generally be characterized by vulnerability and instability. Theories and practices must be contextualized if they are to be of assistance to the users of career development services. This chapter has two aims. First, by means of an intercultural dialogue proposal, it discusses the need to contextualize theories to assist people with their career issues and foster social justice. Second, it presents career theories and practices produced in the Global South (Latin America, Africa, and developing countries of Asia) and discusses their potential as an alternative to expand the mainstream career development theories from the North. Such theories can be understood as a Southern contribution to the social justice agenda.

Tragic Ending and Inversion in The Tale of Orchid Dream

NAN Nü ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-148
Author(s):  
Ying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Gender Conflict ◽  
Late Qing ◽  
Female Hero ◽  
The Social ◽  
Chinese Fiction ◽  
Honglou Meng ◽  
And Inversion

AbstractThis essay examines the representation of gender conflict in the late Qing novel Lanhua meng qizhuan (The tale of orchid dream) through an analysis of the novel's responses to its two literary models: Cao Xueqin's Honglou meng (Dream of the red chamber) and Wen Kang's Ernü yingxiong zhuan (A tale of heroes and lovers, 1878). Written as an imitation of Cao Xueqin's masterpiece and a reversal of Wen Kang's novel (itself also a rewriting of Cao Xueqin's work), Lanhua meng qizhuan consciously returns to the tragic mode of representation while it re-polarizes the themes of heroism and love (or ritualized morality versus private feeling) in its portrayal of the married life of a female hero, Song Baozhu. Through the deterioration of the heroine's marriage and her death, the novel exposes the deep-seated male centeredness in Chinese society and culture. At the same time, it reveals the ideological and artistic clashes of the hero-lover model promoted by Wen Kang and undermines his effort of assimilating qing (love, feelings) into the domain of public morality. The author's effort in Lanhua meng qizhuan, while seriously tackling the social problem of gender inequality in its time, also challenged old conventions and opened new avenues in Chinese fiction.

scholarly journals Fare gli italiani dell’anno 3000

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Campani
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Romantic Love ◽  
Italian Society ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Gender

In 1897 the Italian anthropologist Paolo Mantegazza published The year 3000. A dream, a science fiction novel in which he described the future order of mankind through the journey of a couple. While recent historiography has focused on the eugenic elements of the book, this article discusses the social and gender matters that underpin the novel. Indeed, on the basis of the emotional paradigm of romantic love, Mantegazza put the ‘sexual reform’ of the post-unified Italy at the centre of his work. Believing that «love was the first instrument of progress», he aimed to show how under the guidance of science, humanity as well as Italian society would have a future of happiness and prosperity.

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