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Arabic Poetry

Trajectories of Modernity and Tradition

By Muhsin J. al-Musawi

Published July 29th 2010 by Routledge – 328 pages

Series: Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Literatures

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Description

Since the late 1940s, Arabic poetry has spoken for an Arab conscience, as much as it has debated positions and ideologies, nationally and worldwide. This book tackles issues of modernity and tradition in Arabic poetry as manifested in poetic texts and criticism by poets as participants in transformation and change. It studies the poetic in its complexity, relating to issues of selfhood, individuality, community, religion, ideology, nation, class and gender.

Al-Musawi also explores in context issues that have been cursorily noticed or neglected, like Shi’i poetics, Sufism, women’s poetry, and expressions of exilic consciousness.

Arabic Poetry employs current literary theory and provides comprehensive coverage of modern and post-modern poetry from the 1950s onwards, making it essential reading for those with interests in Arabic culture and literature and Middle East studies.

Contents

1. The Tradition/Modernity Nexus in Arabic Poetics 2. Debating Hegemonic Poetics 3. Poetic Strategies for Conformity and Dissent: Past/Present Thresholds 4. Poetic Dialogization: Ancestors in the Text-Figures and Figurations 5. Dedications as Poetic Intersections: Precursors and Contemporaries 6. Envisioning Exile: Past Anchors and Problematic Encounters 7. The Edge of Recognition and Rejection: Why T.S. Eliot? 8. Conclusion: Re-inscribing Tradition

Author Bio

Muhsin J. al-Musawi is Professor of Middle East and Asian Studies at Columbia University and University Professor at the American University of Sharjah.

Name: Arabic Poetry: Trajectories of Modernity and Tradition (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: By Muhsin J. al-Musawi. Since the late 1940s, Arabic poetry has spoken for an Arab conscience, as much as it has debated positions and ideologies, nationally and worldwide. This book tackles issues of modernity and tradition in Arabic poetry as manifested in poetic texts and...
Categories: Literature, Middle East Literature, Middle East Society