Contemporary Iraqi War Fiction: A Comparative Analysis of
Selected Works by Sinan Antoon and Batool Khedairi
by Anwar Noori Bilal
Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in English Language and literature
Department of English Faculty of Human Sciences
Supervised by
Dr. Laila Helmi Associate Professor Department of English Faculty of Human Sciences Beirut Arab University
2018 Contemporary Iraqi War Fiction: A Comparative Analysis of
Selected Works by Sinan Antoon and Batool Khedairi
Abstract
This thesis is a comparative study of contemporary Iraqi war fiction, with special focus on two Iraqi writers, Sinan Antoon and Batool Khedairi. Both writers succeeded, through their works, in revealing hidden realities that are subversive of the dominant narrative. By applying Butler’s and Haslam’s concepts of dehumanization, and Nussbaum’s concepts of objectification in addition to Aghacy’s study of masculinity to the chosen works, the study argues that Iraqis are dehumanized by both war and dictatorship. Iraqis’ bodies are exterminated and mutilated through a process of dehumanization and objectification. Gender roles, where the body plays a major role, are seriously affected not only by war but also by the Iraqi regime that changed its policies towards women more than once and used them as tools for its ends. Art was another target of war and dictatorship; it was abused as a political weapon to impose a new identity on Iraqis. Despite some differences in tackling women’s sickness and women’s sexuality, and adopting different artistic schools in the issue of art, together, Antoon and Khedairi were successful in giving voice to the Iraqi pain. As a male and a female writer, their novels drew a complete portrait of Iraqis’ lives during war and dictatorship. The two writers were also capable of showing how Iraqis are challenging all the dehumanizing powers that have been trying to break their will.
vi
Table of Contents
Page Number
Title Page
Signature Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
A First Word
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………… vi
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………... vii
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………... ix
Chapter One: Introduction ……………………………………………………………. 1 - The Literary Scene under Dictatorship ………….……………………………… 5 - Visual Art under Dictatorship ………...………………………………………… 8 - Women’s Rights under Dictatorship………………...... 10 - Literature Review ……………………………………………………...... 12 - Research Questions ……………………………………………………………... 14 - Methodology …………………………………………………………...... 15 - Synopsis of the Two Writers and their Selected Works ...…………...... 21 - Structure of the Study ………………………………………………………...... 24
Chapter Two: War and Dehumanization: The Objectification of the Human Body………………………………………………………………………………. 26 - Extermination of the Body ...……………………………………………………. 28
vii
- Mutilation of the Soul (body from within) …………………………...... 39 - Mutilation of the Body…..……………….……………………………………….41
Chapter Three: War and the Reversal of Gender Roles …………………………… 47
- Sexual Roles…………………………………………………………...... 50 - Economy and Marital Institution ………………………………………………. 57
Chapter Four: Politicization and Personification of Art …………………………… 64
- The Power of Art During Times of War ………………………………………. 64 - Politicization of Art: Forging a New Identity …………………………………. 67 - Art as a Tool for Othering (the collective) …………………...………………... 74 - Personification of Art (the individual) …………………………...... 78
Chapter Five: Conclusion …………………………………………………………….. 86
Figures…………………………………………………………………………...... 91
Endnote……………………………………………………………………………….... 96
References ……………………………………………………………………………... 97
viii
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