Gender and Identity in North Africa: Postcolonialism and Feminism in Maghrebi Women's Literature (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

"What impact do issues of culture, religion and identity have on Turkey's chances of joining the EU? Are religious and cultural factors per se the primary obstacle to Turkish accession, or is it their interaction with other factors that is prolonging and complicating Turkey's progress towards EU membership? Mirela Bogdani here analyses the complex range of issues that are influencing the process of Turkey's accession to the EU, assesses the positions of different European actors towards Turkey's pursuit of EU membership and identifies the reasons for the European opposition. She also analyses the issues of political Islam, multiculturalism and the compatibility of Islam with democracy. This book will be an important resource for anyone interested in EU politics, EU enlargement policy, EU-Turkey relations, the relationship between religion and politics, political Islam, multiculturalism and supranational integration."--Bloomsbury publishing. Literary Fiction Has Always Provided An Outlet For Social And Political Critique. In Writing By Key North African Women Authors, The Dissection Of Maghrebi Society Is At The Very Heart Of The Narratives. Here, Abdelkader Cheref Charts The Rise Of Postcolonial Literature Written By Women From The Maghreb, And Provides The First Comparative Analysis Of Three Of The Region's Most Prominent Contemporary Authors: Assia Djeba (algeria), Leila Abouzeid (morocco) And Souad Guellouz (tunisia). These Writers Are United In Their Depictions Of A Post-independence Socio-political Malaise In The Maghreb; Their Explorations Of Marginalised Women's Voices; And Their Own Quests For Their Voices To Be Heard Beyond The Rigid Constraints Of Patriarchy. Cheref Examines The Intricate Connections That The Writers Make Between The Subordination And Marginalisation Of Women And The Complex Web Of Issues Facing Contemporary Maghrebi Societies More Widely. The Works Of Djeba, Abouzeid And Guellouz All Display Grievances With The Failings Of Maghrebi Governmnents And Societies Which Limit The Freedom Of The Individual, Whether Male Or Female: Nationalist Policies, Corruption, Despotic Rule, Religious Fanaticism, Flawed Modernisation, Economic And Class Problems, And Issues Of Gender And Power. He Places The Writers' Narratives Within Their Historical And Cultural Contexts, And Reveals The Ways In Which Gender Identity, As Well As National And Cultural Identities, Are Being Renegotiated Within The Space Of Postcolonial Maghrebi Women's Literature. Gender And Identity In North Africa: Postcolonialism And Feminism In Maghrebi Women's Literature Is Essential Comparative Reading For Students And Scholars Wishing To Understand The Complex Connections Between Literature, History And Culture In Postcolonial North Africa. --book Jacket. Introduction. Scope, Rationale And Aims ; Research And Methodological Contexts ; Organization Of The Book -- The Triumph Of The Muzzled. Introduction ; A Mirror Of Mutations And Syncretisms ; Denouncing The Postcolonial Socio-political Malaise ; The Female Character As An Agent De Rupture -- The Representation Of The Subaltern And Importance Of Community : Leila Abouzeid's Year Of The Elephant. Introduction ; Naissance Of Year Of The Elephant ; The Representation Of The Subaltern ; Leila Abouzeid's Sense Of Identity ; The Community's Restorative Potential ; Conclusion -- Is Every Woman's Name Wound : Resistance And Self-fulfilment In Assia Djebar's A Sister To Scheherazade. Introduction ; Oppression In A Sister To Scheherazade ; Is Every Woman's Name Wound : Defiance And Self-affirmation ; Conclusion -- Women's Life-writing : The Sense Of Geographic, Cultural And Social Displacement In Souad Guellouz's La Vie Simple. Introduction ; Place And Displacement ; Maternal Linkages And Female Solidarity ; Class, Society And Archaism ; The Difficulty Of Developing A Positive Self-image ; Expressing The Self ; Conclusion. Abdelkader Cheref. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Literary fiction has always provided an outlet for social and political critique. In the writing of key North African women authors, the dissection of Maghrebi society is at the very heart of the narratives. Here, Abdelkader Cheref charts the rise of postcolonial literature written by women from the Maghreb, and provides the first comparative analysis of three of the region’s most prominent contemporary authors: Assia Djeba (Algeria), Leila Abouzeid (Morocco) and Souad Guellouz (Tunisia). These writers are united in their depictions of a post-independence socio-political malaise in the Maghreb; their explorations of marginalised women’s voices; and, their own quests for their voices to be heard beyond the rigid constraints of patriarchy. This book is essential comparative reading for students and researchers wishing to understand the connections between literature, history and culture in postcolonial North Africa. Literary fiction has always provided an outlet for social and political critique. This book charts the rise of postcolonial literature written by women from the Maghreb, and provides an analysis of three of the region's prominent contemporary authors such as Assia Djeba (Algeria), Leila Abouzeid (Morocco) and Souad Guellouz (Tunisia).