Literature and nation in the Middle East

This study presents an original look at how ‘the nation’ is represented in the literature of the Middle East. It includes chapters on Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Israel, drawing on the expertise of literary scholars, historians, political scientists and cultural theorists, and offers a synthesising contribution to knowledge, placing Arab literature within the context of emergent or conflicting nationalist projects in the area. Topics addressed include: the roles of literature and interpretation in defining national identity; exile; conflicting nationalisms; and conflict resolution. The approaches taken by the authors range from textual and rhetorical analysis to historical accounts of the role of literature in contributing to national identity, and political analysis of the use of literature as a tool in conflict resolution. Genres covered include fiction (the novel), poetry and verbal duelling. The book includes chapters from a broad range of American, European and Middle Eastern contributors, providing a synthesising perspective on the Middle East, and is an exploration of the connection between literature and national identity in the Middle East, set against the background of conflict.