Arabic Literature

Bio-Power in Arabic Sci-fi, Foucault's Reading of the Novel "Al-Sayyid Min Haql Al-Sabankh" by Sabri Musa

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Zohreh Naemi 1
Farhang Mafakheri 2

1 Assistant Professor at the Department of Arabic Language and Literature in the Faculty of Literature and Humanities University of Kharazmi, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. Candidate at the Department of Arabic Language and Literature in the Faculty of Literature and Humanities University of Kharazmi, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jalit.2022.341612.612539
Abstract
Sci-fi is one of the types of literature that has been introduced in fiction after the World War II and the industrialization of societies. One of the themes of this literary genre is the study of social and human issues that are more important in Arabic literature. Arabic science fiction literature conceptualizes the subject of power, which seems to be very close to Michel Foucault's theory of "bio-power." The novel "Al-Sayyid Min Haql Al-Sabankh" by Sabri Musa is one of the most prominent Arabic science-fiction works. this study seeks to take a new look at the novel "Al-Sayyid Min Haql Al-Sabankh" Based on the "bio-power" theory to discover how an Arabic science-fiction work conceptualizes "power". This research has examined this novel using a qualitative method and analytical-critical approach, and the obtained results indicate that this novel is largely consistent with Foucault's theories on bio-power. In this novel, the author demonstrates a power that is not only applied in a soft form, but also like the air that is breathed. It is current in all social relations and affects all aspects of citizens' lives. And the exercise of power is not based on killing but on giving life, and the ruling regime guarantees a healthy and safe life for all citizens. Power in this novel manifests itself in a different way in society and controls all citizens, both individually and as a population, and this is exactly the bio-power in Foucault's thought

Keywords

Bio-power
Michel Foucault
Science Fiction
Sabri Musa
Al-Sayyid Min Haql Al-Sabankh
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  • Receive Date 15 April 2022
  • Revise Date 05 June 2022
  • Accept Date 31 October 2022

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