Carnival and Counter-Narratives: Rewriting Identity and Resistance in Najib al-Turki’s Carnival
by
Hatem Al-Shamea
Abstract
Najib al-Turki’s Carnival (كرنفال) is a collection of short stories that delves into the complexities of human existence, societal norms, and the interplay between tradition and modernity. This article provides a theoretical analysis of the text, drawing on postcolonial theory, existentialism, and psychoanalysis to explore the themes of identity, alienation, and resistance. Through close readings of selected stories, the article examines how al-Turki uses narrative techniques, symbolism, and intertextuality to critique societal structures and offer a nuanced portrayal of human struggles. The study examines the narrative and counter-narrative in “Carnival.
Introduction
Najib al-Turki’s Carnival (كرنفال) is a rich tapestry of short stories that reflect the multifaceted nature of human experience. The collection, published in 2024, is a significant contribution to contemporary Arabic literature, offering a profound exploration of themes such as identity, alienation, and resistance. The title itself, Carnival, evokes a sense of festivity and chaos, suggesting a world where societal norms are both celebrated and subverted. This article seeks to provide a theoretical analysis of the text, drawing on postcolonial theory, existentialism, and psychoanalysis to unpack the layers of meaning embedded in al-Turki’s work.
The article is divided into four main sections. The first section provides an overview of the text and how it can be placed contemporary Arabic literature. The second section explores the theme of identity, focusing on how al-Turki portrays the struggle for self-definition in a rapidly changing world. The third section examines the theme of alienation, analyzing how the characters in Carnival grapple with feelings of isolation and disconnection. The fourth section discusses the theme of resistance, highlighting how al-Turki critiques societal structures and offers a vision of empowerment. The article concludes with a reflection on the significance of Carnival in the broader context of Arabic literature and its contribution to ongoing discussions about cultural identity and social change.
- Contextualizing Carnival
Contemporary Arabic literature is characterized by its engagement with issues of identity, tradition, and modernity. Writers such as Naguib Mahfouz, Tayeb Salih, and Hanan al-Shaykh have explored these themes in their works, offering nuanced portrayals of the tensions between tradition and modernity, and the impact of colonialism and globalization on Arab societies. Najib al-Turki’s Carnival can be seen as part of this tradition, but it also stands out for its unique narrative style and its focus on the individual’s struggle for self-definition in a rapidly changing world.
The title Carnival suggests a world of festivity and chaos, where societal norms are both celebrated and subverted. This duality is reflected in the structure of the text, which is composed of a series of short stories that range from the humorous to the tragic. Each story offers a glimpse into the lives of its characters, revealing their struggles, desires, and fears. Through these stories, al-Turki critiques societal structures and offers a vision of empowerment, suggesting that the individual has the power to resist and redefine their identity.
The text also engages with the concept of intertextuality, drawing on a wide range of literary and cultural references. For example, the story “نقطة” (The Point) references the works of Franz Kafka, particularly The Trial, in its portrayal of a character who is caught in a web of bureaucratic absurdity. Similarly, the story “حاجة” (Need) draws on the tradition of Arabic folktales, using allegory and symbolism to critique societal norms. These intertextual references serve to situate Carnival within the broader context of world literature, while also highlighting its unique contribution to Arabic literature.
- Identity and the Struggle for Self-Definition
One of the central themes of Carnival is the struggle for self-definition in a rapidly changing world. The characters in the text are often caught between tradition and modernity, struggling to reconcile their cultural heritage with the demands of contemporary society. This struggle is particularly evident in the story “نقطة” (The Point), where the protagonist is caught in a web of bureaucratic absurdity, unable to assert his identity in a system that denies him agency.
The theme of identity is also explored in the story “حاجة” (Need), where the protagonist’s desire for material goods is contrasted with his need for spiritual fulfillment. The story uses allegory and symbolism to critique societal norms, suggesting that the pursuit of material wealth often comes at the expense of personal and spiritual growth. This critique is further developed in the story “نزاع” (Conflict), where the protagonist’s struggle for self-definition is portrayed as a battle between different aspects of his identity.
Al-Turki’s portrayal of identity is deeply influenced by postcolonial theory, particularly the work of Frantz Fanon and Edward Said. Fanon’s concept of the “colonized mind” is particularly relevant to the text, as many of the characters in Carnival are struggling to free themselves from the psychological effects of colonialism. Similarly, Said’s concept of “Orientalism” is reflected in the text’s critique of Western cultural hegemony and its impact on Arab societies.
- Alienation and the Search for Connection
Another central theme of Carnival is alienation, particularly the sense of isolation and disconnection that many of the characters experience. This theme is explored in the story “فجوة” (The Gap), where the protagonist’s sense of alienation is portrayed as a result of his inability to connect with others. The story uses symbolism and imagery to convey the protagonist’s sense of isolation, suggesting that his alienation is both a personal and a societal issue.
The theme of alienation is also evident in the story “نزر” (Scarcity), where the protagonist’s sense of disconnection is portrayed as a result of societal neglect. The story critiques the societal structures that perpetuate inequality and marginalization, suggesting that the protagonist’s sense of alienation is a reflection of broader social issues. This critique is further developed in the story “فوضى” (Chaos), where the protagonist’s sense of disconnection is portrayed as a result of societal chaos and instability.
Al-Turki’s portrayal of alienation is deeply influenced by existentialist philosophy, particularly the work of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Sartre’s concept of “bad faith” is particularly relevant to the text, as many of the characters in Carnival are struggling to assert their agency in a world that denies them authenticity. Similarly, Camus’s concept of the “absurd” is reflected in the text’s portrayal of the characters’ struggle to find meaning in a chaotic and indifferent world.
- Resistance and the Possibility of Empowerment
Despite the themes of identity and alienation, Carnival also offers a vision of empowerment, suggesting that the individual has the power to resist and redefine their identity. This theme is explored in the story “ثقة” (Trust), where the protagonist’s struggle for self-definition is portrayed as a form of resistance against societal norms. The story uses symbolism and imagery to convey the protagonist’s sense of empowerment, suggesting that his resistance is both a personal and a societal act.
The theme of resistance is also evident in the story “المسفلة” (The Conjurer), where the protagonist’s struggle for self-definition is portrayed as a form of resistance against societal marginalization. The story critiques the societal structures that perpetuate inequality and marginalization, suggesting that the protagonist’s resistance is a reflection of broader social issues. This critique is further developed in the story “عنبرو” (Ambro), where the protagonist’s struggle for self-definition is portrayed as a form of resistance against cultural hegemony.
Al-Turki’s portrayal of resistance is deeply influenced by postcolonial theory, particularly the work of Homi Bhabha and Gayatri Spivak. Bhabha’s concept of “hybridity” is particularly relevant to the text, as many of the characters in Carnival are struggling to assert their agency in a world that denies them authenticity. Similarly, Spivak’s concept of the “subaltern” is reflected in the text’s portrayal of the characters’ struggle to find meaning in a chaotic and indifferent world.
Conclusion
Najib al-Turki’s Carnival is a significant contribution to contemporary Arabic literature, offering a profound exploration of themes such as identity, alienation, and resistance. Through its unique narrative style and its engagement with postcolonial theory, existentialism, and psychoanalysis, the text critiques societal structures and offers a vision of empowerment. The text’s focus on the individual’s struggle for self-definition in a rapidly changing world is particularly relevant in the context of contemporary Arab societies, where issues of identity, tradition, and modernity continue to be central to cultural and political discourse.
Carnival is a powerful and thought-provoking text that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about identity, alienation, and resistance. By situating the text within the broader context of contemporary Arabic literature, this article has sought to highlight its unique contribution to ongoing discussions about cultural identity and social change. As such, Carnival is not only a significant work of literature but also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of human existence in a rapidly changing world.
References
Al-Turki, Najib. Carnival. Oscar Books. 2024.
Fanon, Frantz. Black Skin, White Masks. Grove Press, 1967.
Said, Edward. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Being and Nothingness. Washington Square Press, 1956.
Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus. Vintage Books, 1991.
Bhabha, Homi. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. Can the Subaltern Speak?. Macmillan, 1988.
Mahfouz, Naguib. The Cairo Trilogy. Doubleday, 1990.
Salih, Tayeb. Season of Migration to the North. Heinemann, 1969.
Al-Shaykh, Hanan. The Story of Zahra. Anchor Books, 1994.
Kafka, Franz. The Trial. Schocken Books, 1998.
Dr. Hatem Al-Shamea’s Transformation Theory: A Philosophical and Literary Framework
