Chronotopes of Immigration: The Configurations of Spatio-temporal Relations in Mohammad Abdul-Wali’s novella They Die Strangers

Abstract

ABSTRACT ‘Space’ and ‘time’ have been frequently discussed in diaspora studies. Yet, these studies generally approach the temporal and spatial dimensions of diaspora as separate issues, filtering them through postcolonial insights. Following in the footsteps of 7Mikhail Bakhtin, who first highlighted the mutual interdependence of ‘space’ and ‘time’, calling it ‘chronotope’, this paper traces the configuration of spatio-temporal relations in Mohammad Abdul-Wali’s novella of immigration, They Die Strangers (2001[1971]). Studies of immigration narratives that have referenced Bakhtin’s theory focus mainly on one dominant or minor chronotope of immigration. Moving research forward, the present study examines the multiple chronotopes that have been devised in They Die Strangers. It shows that within this narrative of immigration, we can trace various and highly artistically expressed forms of chronotopes. We call them ‘chronotopes of immigration’, because they determine to a significant degree the generic distinction of immigration narrative. The present study reveals that the theory of ‘chronotope’ is fundamental to understanding the spatial and temporal connections in the narrative of immigration, is critical for comprehending immigration literature, and interestingly aligns with diaspora studies.