SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This work is concerned with Palestinian drama from the second half of the nineteenth century until the present time. Its main aim is to show that, owing to political and historical circumstances, Palestinian drama has developed distinctive characteristics of its own in both content and form. The thesis is in four parts. Part One is a historical introduction, beginning with a study of the socio-economic, political and cultural structure of modern Palestine, and the leading role of the middle class in determining this structure, followed by an outline of the dramatic and theatrical movement. Its successes and failures are evaluated. Part Two deals with thematic aspects of Palestinian drama. It discusses the way that drama has drawn on myth, religion, history, and social life, and argues that whatever the material drawn on in a particular play, the main aim has been to express strong national sentiments. Part Three focuses on the artistic and aesthetic aspects of Palestinian drama. It examines theatrical elements, conflict, dialogue, character and the mode of their construction. Attention is paid to the methods of presentation of the plays, to the sources of inspiration for such methods and the way they have contributed to the themes. Part Four considers the function of the drama from political, cultural, critical and aesthetic points of view. It is shown throughout that Palestinian drama must be seen as a committed drama, and that it cannot be understood outside its historical context.