I Will Tell You My History: Rewriting to Revolt in the Process of al-Tārīkh al-badīl (Allohistory)

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 351-371
Author(s):  
Ada Barbaro
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Historical Novel ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Arabic Literature ◽  
Historical Narratives ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
Fictional Story

Abstract In an epoch of revival of the historical novel, Arabic literature tries to provide its own response to the construction of al-tārīkh al-badīl, namely “alternative history” or, also, allohistory which, as a literary genre, was originally a branch of science fiction. By proposing the idea of a counter-narration, the search for historical alternatives becomes a matter of great importance and responsibility. What happens if the writer tries to construct an alternative point of view, a counter-narration in which “History” is transformed into an almost fictional story? Far from an act of betrayal, this can be interpreted as a restoration of iltizām whenever the narrative potential, or the “if” contained within the narrative, comes true. This article aims to present works where the authors wonder: “What would have happened if…?” This question opens space for literary alternatives to mainstream or official historical narratives.

scholarly journals Classical a;uusions in the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe

enadakultura ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lela Ebralidze
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
American Literature ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Edgar Allan Poe ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
Creative Work ◽  
Psychological Realism ◽  
Central Figure

Edgar Allan Poe, a central figure of Romanticism of American literature, whom French symbolists recognized as their predecessor, is also considered as the father of detective and science fiction genres. Moreover, he is credited for his contribution to psychological realism. Poe’s creative work was so versatile that it is difficult to attach him to any particular literary genre. When discussing his works they often speak about gothic and romantic elements. However, in the present article Poe’s poems have been analyzed from the point of view of classical allusions employed in them.

A Thousand and One Nights and the Novel

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard van Leeuwen
Keyword(s):  
Magical Realism ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arabic Literature ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The West ◽  
Eighteenth And Nineteenth Centuries ◽  
Modern Arabic

This chapter examines the influence of Alf layla wa layla (A Thousand and One Nights), the ingenious Arabic cycle of stories, on the development of the novel as a literary genre. It shows that the Nights helped shape the European novel in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The chapter first explains how the French translation of the Nights and its popularity in Europe led to its incorporation in world literature, creating an enduring taste for “Orientalism” in many forms. It then considers how the Nights became integrated in modern Arabic literature and how Arabic novels inspired by it were used to criticize social conditions, dictatorial authority, and the lack of freedom of expression. It also discusses the Nights as a source of innovation for the trend of magical realism, as well as its role in the interaction between the Arab world and the West.

Qatar

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mostafa Saleem
Keyword(s):  
Historical Novel ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Arabic Literature ◽  
Modern Literature ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Women Authors ◽  
Modern Arabic

This chapter discusses the beginnings of the novelistic tradition in Qatar, as well as the achievements of the Qatari novel during 1993–2015. It begins with an overview of the conditions that set the stage for the emergence of modern Arabic literature in the societies of the Arabian Gulf, including Qatar. Three major influences on the development of modern literature in Qatar are identified: oil, journalism, and education, especially of women. The chapter discusses the pioneers of the Qatari novel and considers novels that focused on the intellectual in situations of personal-political crisis. Finally, it examines two major trends in Qatari literature: the emergence of the historical novel and works by Qatari women authors.

Using Science Fiction to Teach Point of View

Extrapolation ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-267
Author(s):  
Barbara Bengels
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Point Of View

scholarly journals When Writers Activate Readers: How the autofictional blog transforms Arabic literature

1970 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 73-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Pepe
Keyword(s):  
Active Role ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Arabic Literature ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
Interactive Game ◽  
Hybrid Genre ◽  
Modern Arabic

The adoption of Internet technology in Egypt has led to the emergence a new literary genre, the ‘autofic-tional blog’. This paper explores how this genre relates to the Arabic understanding of literature, using as examples a number of Egyptian autofictional blogs written between 2005 and 2011. The article shows that the autofictional blog transforms ʾadab into an interactive game to be played among authors and readers, away from the gatekeepers of the literary institutions, such as literary critics and publishers. In this game the author adopts a hybrid genre and mixed styles of Arabic and challenges the readers to take an active role in discovering the identity hidden behind the screen and making their way into the text. The readers, in return, feel entitled to change and contribute to the text in a variety of ways.Keywords: autofictional blog; ʾadab; modern Arabic literature; Egypt

scholarly journals НОВЫЙ ПОВЕСТВОВАТЕЛЬНЫЙ МИР В ТВОРЧЕСТВЕ АКИ МОРЧИЛАДЗЕ

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (8(38)) ◽  
pp. 28-30
Author(s):  
Ната Бердзули
Keyword(s):  
Historical Novel ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Postmodern Literature ◽  
Historical Information ◽  
Narrative Story ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Narrative Function

The narrative dates from a long time ago and the subject of its research was to study fundamental principles of narration.It is so old that the ideas of its structure have been developed in the ancient times. The etymology of the term "narrative", is derived from the Latin and its meaning is narration. This term was emerged in the literary studies as a result of novelist works by Roland Bart, Claude Bremann, Cvetan Todorov and others. In the twentieth century, many theories were created about the narrative, and in the same century, the main analytical components of narrative - story, sound, time, point of view, character, role were established.Narrative can be considered as a feature of postmodernism, because narrative sources take special significance in postmodernism.While researching modern literature a significant function is given to the variety of narrative usages. The aim of the theme is to research the narrative function on the basis of comparative analysis of Aka Morchiladze's creative works.Aka Morchiladze's novels are filled with familiar literary or historical motives, acting people, stories, but itcreates a different reality through narrative or literary plays.The author creates a narrative text based on literary texts and "historical information". Historical information that is used in the text does not correspond to reality, and we, the readers, think that we are about to learn “historical novel” and the narrator is a historian,-not a novelist. Finally, we realize that we deal with the "fake history", allusion of writer's fantasy and literary and historical facts. Therefore, with regards of the presented issues, it is necessary to take into consideration the specificity of postmodern literature and peculiarities of realization of this specificity in Georgian reality. Narrative sources are of particular importance in postmodernism, which is one of the most important elements of the study of the text to be analyzed.

The Special Demands of Point of View in Science Fiction

Extrapolation ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-159
Author(s):  
Harry P. Kroitor
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Point Of View

„ ... erwachte und war geheilt“: Inkubations darstellungen in byzantinischen Heiligenviten

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Pratsch
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Literary Tradition ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Literary Genre ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Financial Problem ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Holy Man ◽  
Holy Place

AbstractThe ancient rite of incubation in a temple and asking the pagan god or goddess for a cure of a disease or illness is continued in the Christian and Byzantine tradition with only a few modifications. The place of the incubation is now usually a church or another Christian holy place and the person who is asked for a cure is now a Christian holy man or woman, i.e. a Christian saint. In the abundant Byzantine literary genre of saint’s lives or hagiography we find many descriptions of such incubations and in most cases the requested healings. This literary tradition starts in the 4th and 5th century and goes on to at least the 11th century and likely even further. According to this tradition there was a wide range of diseases which could be cured by incubation in a church and invocation of a holy man or woman. In some cases, e.g. regarding psychological problems, this therapy might have even occasionally been successful. In other cases, the effect of the treatment could well be doubted from a scientific point of view. However, these spiritual healing methods had to compete with the medical doctors and worldly physicians who practised at the same time. Apart from religious belief, the quarrel between the two parties was also about money. One can, therefore, draw the conclusion that health care was a financial problem already in the Middle Ages.

“Chrysalis”: Bradbury and Henry Kuttner

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R. Eller
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Close Friend ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ray Bradbury

This chapter examines how Henry Kuttner influenced Ray Bradbury as a writer. In terms of his overall development as a writer, Bradbury received his most intense mentoring from Kuttner. Although Bradbury correctly sensed that Kuttner believed in his potential and respected his enthusiasm, he never felt that Kuttner wanted to be a close friend. But Kuttner's surviving letters, written after he entered military service in early 1942, proved otherwise: they project a genuine friendship as well as growing professional respect. These letters document the first major opportunity for Bradbury as a science fiction author. This chapter considers Kuttner's role as mentor to Bradbury during his clash with Astounding editor John Campbell over Bradbury's story “Chrysalis” regarding length and narrative point of view.

Benford in His Own Words

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Slusser
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
University Of California ◽  
Two Cultures ◽  
Rhetorical Devices ◽  
Cultural Phenomenon ◽  
The Two Cultures

This chapter considers the series of essays Gregory Benford wrote for University of California Riverside's Eaton Conference from 1979 to 2009. It explores Benford's personal vision by connecting the various threads of his essays, including his analysis of J. G. Ballard's term of “experience” from the point of view of the “intuitionist” school of natural philosophy; the process of alien ingestion; the narrative and rhetorical devices needed to achieve what he calls that “falsely quiet” moment when the practicing scientist senses the possibility of alien encounter; the role of aliens in science fiction; his use of the cyberpunk phenomenon to denounce what he sees as the disturbing rise of fantasy as a cultural phenomenon; and the two-cultures gap in science fiction.

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