Framing authority and might in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: cross-examination of texts and paratexts in two Arabic translations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Children’s literature masterpieces are translated across multiple languages and adapted across multiple modalities in time and space. For much that they are fertile ground to construct empowering narratives for children, the complexity of these books is often overlooked because of their young target audience. This thesis focuses on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865, and which has enjoyed widespread popularity over time. It aims to uncover the manifestation of power and counterpower among the characters, particularly Alice, in two Arabic translations of the novel. The first is undertaken by Abdullah Al-Kabeer, and the other by the Arab novelist Ahmed Khaled Tawfik respectively. To analyze power and counterpower, this thesis examines the paratexts of the two translations (the cover page, the translator’s preface, and blurbs), and the text of the two translations, focusing on 4 episodes in Alice’s journey in Wonderland. These were selected out of 19 episodes where authority and might are particularly at play. It draws on narrative theory, paratexts and framing, to cross-examine the paratextual and textual data. The results of the study suggest that the two translations frame the narrative of AIW in very different ways. Al-Kabeer omits important episodes where Alice exercises her might when confronted with non-sensical or abusive characters. This turns Alice in fabula into a role model for well-behaved children with whom the Arab young readers are expected to identify. By contrast, Tawfik’s translation texts and paratexts frame Alice in Wonderland as a critical novel where dominance, power and authority are resisted to and where Alice’s agency develops throughout her journey. Keywords: Children’s literature, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, narrative, framing, authority, might

Date of Award	2022
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Humanities and Social Science