Diana Abu Jaber is one of the prominent Arab American women writers. This article aims at discussing one of the literary works of Diana Abu Jaber, namely Arabian Jazz, focusing on the theme of identity. In her writings, Diana Abu Jaber deploys the cultural trope to discuss the Arab-American life and issues of belonging to their homeland. Also, Diana tries to focus on the identity theme to negotiate the existence of Arab in the main stream America and how these characters suffer from the duality and how they try to preserve their homeland identity through a hybridization of both identities. In this article the focus will be on the protagonists of the novel Arabia Jazz and how Diana Abu Jaber tries to analyse the protagonists’ identity in a stylistic way.
Table of Contents
1- Introduction
2- Identity in Arab American writings
3- Conceptx of identity in Diana-Abu Jaber's novel "Arabian Jazz"
4- Identity’s deconstruction of the main characters
A- Fatima
B- Matussem
C- The two daughters
5- Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This article explores the complexities of identity formation among Arab Americans, focusing on Diana Abu-Jaber's novel "Arabian Jazz" to examine the dualities, cultural hybridity, and the psychological impact of displacement experienced by the protagonists.
- The intersection of Arab heritage and American cultural integration.
- The role of jazz music as a metaphorical mediator for complex identity.
- Deconstruction of immigrant subjectivities and the concept of "in-betweenness."
- The clash between traditional values and Western assimilation.
- Psychological effects of family trauma and the struggle against stereotypical representations.
Excerpt from the Book
A- Fatima
Aunt Fatima in the novel Arabian Jazz represents the old homeland. She tends to the conservative nature through the values that she wants to preserve in the United States of America. A year after the arrival of Mutassim, her trip to America left behind her difficult circumstances in the country of origin, trauma, death, and poverty. A painful experience represented mainly in the event of burying four infant sisters with her parents' participation when she was young because of poverty.
"When we were homeless and dying without food, what of the four starving babies I had to bury still alive, living —I, I, I?” she said, pushing her palms in their faces, as if the mark of it was there to be read. “Can I buy a bar of American soap and wash these away, as you have washed up yourself? Babies I buried with my mother watching so this rest could live, so my baby brother can eat, so he can move away and never know about it. These why he came here, then,” she said, turning to Jem and Melvina. “To get away from knowing. No one would tell, but still he knows there is something to fly from, praise Allah he was born so fortunate! Born a man, not to know the truth.” (A-Z: 334)
The family's sacrifice of some of its members to avoid starvation for others, especially Matussem, was a shock to Fatima, who would pursue her for the rest of her life. Still, this event was also a message to the two sisters to know the social system in the country of origin.
Summary of Chapters
1- Introduction: Provides an overview of the development of Arab American literature and the emergence of identity-related conflicts within the immigrant community.
2- Identity in Arab American writings: Examines how different generations of Arab American writers have approached the articulation of their cultural dualities and the push toward assimilation versus transformation.
3- Conceptx of identity in Diana-Abu Jaber's novel "Arabian Jazz": Analyzes the novel's setting and the use of the jazz metaphor as a tool to navigate the struggle for identity within a marginalized, multicultural American environment.
4- Identity’s deconstruction of the main characters: Offers a deep dive into the individual identities of Fatima, Matussem, Jemorah, and Melvina to show how familial history and cultural expectations shape their search for self.
5- Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, highlighting how the characters' journeys toward hybrid identity reflect a broader maturity in Arab American discourse.
Keywords
Identity, Hybridity, Dual identities, Ethnocultural identity, Arabian Jazz, Diana Abu Jaber, Arab American, Assimilation, Displacement, Marginalization, Cultural trope, Immigration, Representation, Self-discovery, Diaspora.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this research paper primarily about?
This paper focuses on the dynamics of identity formation in contemporary Arab American literature, using Diana Abu-Jaber’s novel "Arabian Jazz" as a case study for analyzing the cultural struggles of immigrant families.
What are the central thematic fields?
The main themes include cultural hybridity, the challenge of maintaining Arab heritage in a Western context, the impact of trauma and displacement, and the negotiation of gender roles within immigrant families.
What is the primary research goal?
The study aims to understand how characters in "Arabian Jazz" construct their identity and to explore how the author deconstructs the duality of the Arab American experience.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, specifically focusing on the deconstruction of character dynamics and the evaluation of social and psychological themes found in the narrative.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers a historical overview of Arab American writing, an analysis of the novel's environment, and a detailed character study focusing on the conflicting roles of the aunt, the father, and the two daughters.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include identity, hybridity, dual identities, ethnocultural identity, and cultural negotiation.
How does the character of Fatima influence the narrative?
Fatima serves as an embodiment of the past and traditional conservative values, aiming to protect her nieces from American influence, which creates a significant source of ideological conflict in the novel.
What role does the father, Matussem, play in the daughters' identity?
Matussem acts as an understanding father who, despite his own traumas and the influence of his sister, encourages his daughters to find freedom and embrace their own paths rather than conforming to rigid traditions.
Why is the novel set in the isolated town of Euclid?
The setting of Euclid highlights the themes of marginalization and poverty, serving as a microcosm of the larger American society where the family struggles to establish their identity against external prejudices.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Adil Ouatat (Author), 2023, Questioning Identity in Diana Abu Jaber's book "Arabian Jazz", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1334028
