Arabic Literature

Critique and Analysis of the Women's Writing Tradition in Four Algerian Women's Novels by Elaine Showalter

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Sana Gholami 1
Mohammad jorfi 2
Ibrahim Anari 3
Qasem Mokhtari 3

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Arabic Language and Literatur, University of Arak Arak. Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Arak University, Arak, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literatur, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Arak University, Arak, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jalit.2021.325356.612402
Abstract
Elaine Showalter is an American feminist theorist, by proposing the theory of “gynocriticism” and relying on a recurring model in literary subcultures, emphasizes the need to analysis the works of women writers in any country in support of this theory. In this way, it passes through two stages of Imitation (female stage) and protesting against the dominant (feminist stage), finally reaches the third stage, which is to achieve individual identity (feminine stage). The present study intends to use the method of qualitative content analysis and relying on the three stages proposed, examines four works of fiction by Algerian women writers and can show the evolution of female imitation and the reproduction of the norms of the masculine tradition of Algerian women writers to a conscious protest and rebellion and finally  achieving seif-awareness, as well as the extent to which they succeed in reflecting their demands in literature. Finally, it can be stated that the Manifestation of the model of Showalter's theory in the women’s works occurred simultaneously, which this is due to the delay in the presence of Algerian women in the field of writing, It is important to note that only Ahlam Mostaghani in the novel "Al-Aswad Yaliq Bek" managed to enter the third stage triumphantly. Thus, this work is considered as a the beginning of the female writing tradition for other female writers to manifest female activism and self-awareness in women's writing

Keywords

Elaine Showalter
Writing tradition
Algerian woman
Imitation
Protest and self-awareness
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  • Receive Date 11 April 2021
  • Revise Date 18 October 2021
  • Accept Date 13 December 2021

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