Counter-narratives in Arab Diasporic Literature:

Abstract

This dissertation examines counter-narratives in Arab diasporic literature. Through a close analysis of Rabih Alameddine's The Hakawati (2008), and Isabella Hammad’s The Parisian (2019). These novels explore how Arab diasporic writers use counter-narratives to challenge the dominant narrative. Drawing upon Postcolonial theory, this study explores how Arab diasporic literature engages with themes of resistance, identity, and power through these counter-narratives. It also considers the implications of using counter-narratives to disrupt the dominant Narrative and Arab diasporic identities. These novels provide an important counter-narrative to the traditional Western narrative of Arabs. They demonstrate the complexity and diversity of the Arab diaspora, allowing for a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the people and their experiences. This contributes to a more inclusive and representative narrative of the Arab diaspora, which is essential for a better understanding of their culture. The outcomes indicate that these novels challenge the traditional Western narrative of Arabs by providing a more complex and nuanced representation of the Arab diaspora. They provide a counter-narrative that is more inclusive and diverse, which allows for a better understanding of the Arab diaspora and its unique experiences.