The Dialectic of Staying and Emigration' in Emily Nasrallah's Novel Flight Against Time
Research on the dialectic of staying and emigration' in the shadow of the Lebanese civil war (1975-90) suggests an overt correlation between the ongoing debate and the truth about that war, with such a dialectic being an outcome of the ravages of that cruel war. By unveiling the internal confl...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
[2018]
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| In: |
Journal of Semitic studies
Year: 2018, Volume: 63, Issue: 1, Pages: 243-258 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Research on the dialectic of staying and emigration' in the shadow of the Lebanese civil war (1975-90) suggests an overt correlation between the ongoing debate and the truth about that war, with such a dialectic being an outcome of the ravages of that cruel war. By unveiling the internal conflict, the present study seeks to examine that correlation and how it was portrayed in the literary works of the period. War is a key driver for emigration, and perhaps its impact is much greater than the repercussions of other possible factors, such as economic and social motives. In the dialectic of staying and emigration, the latter motives are only marginal compared with the impact of the war. The present study designs a tripartite model for emigration in time of war: the psychological phase, the implementation phase and the return phase, with an emphasis on the third stage which, at the end of the day, resolves the dispute between the conflicting parties. The study manifests the perception of an ironic return of the character during the war, which, in turn, furthers the writer's position on this dialectic. Radwan, the central character in Emily Nasrallah's Flight against Time, establishes the idea of the pressing need to return to the homeland, particularly in times of ordeal, when most people seek to emigrate in search of safety and security. It is a return that chooses the homeland, with a solid position that refuses emigration. As such, the return to the homeland in times of distress becomes an indispensable national requirement. Despite the radical changes the war brings about, the return becomes a moral victory in the face of war a victory that enhances the characters? determination to defy war. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-8556 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Semitic studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgx044 |