SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This work is concerned with Arabic poetry influenced by the Arab-Israeli conflict regarding Palestine from 1917 to 1973. Its main aim is to discuss how the subject of Palestine has, since 1917, been a source of inspiration to Arab poets, and to illuminate the various aspects of influence the conflict had on modern Arabic poetry. The thesis is divided into two parts. Part one consists of three chapters and deals with the poetry written up to 1948. The conclusion reached in this part is that Arab poets' concern about the political situation of Palestine in the period between 1917 and 194-8 developed rapidly. Yet, aspects of influence of the conflict on poetry written during that period, are primarily limited to the level of introducing a number of themes as well as some new poetic vocabulary related to the subject. Part Two consists of four chapters and deals with the poetry written from 1948 to 1973. The conclusion drawn from this part is that the conflict, unlike the period preceding 1948, has affected Arabic poetry in many ways with regard to mood, tone, attitudes and diction.