Representations and visions of homeland in modern Arabic literature

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Representations of home, homeland (watan), and nation are central themes in Arabic literature, particularly in modern poetry and prose. These concepts have gained prominence in contemporary Arabic literature, especially following the Arab uprisings of 2010 and 2011, as people sought to reclaim their countries from oppressive regimes. This volume showcases the complexity and diversity of literary voices that articulate a wide range of ideas and images related to the Arab homeland and nation. It deepens the understanding of the historical and literary representations of home in the modern Arab world, along with the cultural and political ramifications of these concepts. The thematic range includes writings on home and nostalgia, travel accounts, didactic letters, prison memoirs, nahda literature, and collective autobiographies or “village books.” Some essays explore symbolic nation-building, while others examine the literary techniques modern Arab authors use to critique political discourses on watan and Arab nationalism. This collection stems from a 2011 symposium at the University of Göttingen, featuring contributions from esteemed scholars in Arabic literature and Middle East Studies from various countries, including Australia, Denmark, Lebanon, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and Germany.