SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This study traces the origin and development of the Jordanian novel from 1920s to late 1980s, and consists of three parts in addition to the introduction and conclusion. The introduction covers the rationale for undertaking such a study as well as the methodology and critical perspective adopted in this thesis. It also includes some basic definitions relevant to the work itself The first part comprises two chapters. The first covers an historical survey describing the genealogy of the Jordanian novel, the different stages of its development and the major discernible, trends up to 1970s. The second chapter examines the works of Ghalib Halasa produced during 1970s until his death in 1989, which are considered important contributions to the novel in Jordan. The second part, which comprises two chapters, deals with the experimental trends during 1980s up to 1990. The first of these considers the works of Mu'nis al-Razzaz in detail, shedding light on the experimentation in the techniques and the form of the novel. The second of these takes Elias Farkouh's work Qamat al- Zabad as another attempt to explore new forms of composition and narration. The third part presents the Jordanian novel produced in the conventional form with special reference to a particular work by Ziyad Qasim, who stands out among his contemporaries in his artistic achievements. In the conclusion, a general evaluation of the Jordanian novel of 1980s is given. It is concluded therein that the experimental novelists, such as Mu'nis al-Razzaz an Elias Farkouh, influenced the subsequent generation more profoundly than any other leading novelists of that period.