Time and Space in the Novels of Palestinian Writer Sahar Khalifa

Sharon Sasson

doi:10.17077/2168-538x.1105

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the connections between time and space in the novels of the prominent Palestinian writer, Saḥar Khalīfa. In her writing, Khalīfa emphasizes the status of women in society. She describes Palestinian society, and links each of her works to the collective Palestinian struggle and the parallel female struggle. She draws inspiration from her personal identity, and contributes to the development of a cultural discussion and creation of a collective identity. Khalīfa’s works constitute a broad literary corpus, describing through time and space the events of Palestinian society in general and the status of Palestinian women in particular. These events constitute a chronological timeline that reflects processes of forming a Palestinian collective identity, and in a narrower circle it describes the changes that have taken place in Palestinian women’s lives, and the processes that contributed to shaping their identity in light of political-national changes. Thus, the connection created in Khalīfa’s novels between historical time and physical place is an inseparable part of the entire range of literary means that drive the plot and emphasize the role and status of Palestinian women in society.

Highlights

Time and space in the novels of Saḥar Khalīfa Khalīfa’s works constitute a broad literary corpus, which by means of changing spaces and time describes the unfolding of the major events experienced by Palestinian society in general and Palestinian women in particular
The neighborhood is a microcosm of Palestinian society in general and Palestinian women in particular, mainly in light of the worldview that each of the female protagonists brings with her as she acts in her own limited space
Summary Space and time relations in Khalīfa’s works reflect Palestinian society’s developmental process in light of the national struggle, and mainly the developmental process undergone by Palestinian women from various strata of the population along a chronological timeline

Summary

Introduction

Khalīfa’s uniqueness is the fact that her works reflect events taking place in Palestinian society before they become history, and this accords her text a historical, literary, character.9 Another characteristic is that through the connection she makes between Her novels reflect how, by means of a literary text, one can play an active, non-violent role in the national struggle as part of feminine activism.10 Time and space in the novels of Saḥar Khalīfa Khalīfa’s works constitute a broad literary corpus, which by means of changing spaces and time describes the unfolding of the major events experienced by Palestinian society in general and Palestinian women in particular.

Results

Conclusion