Identity and Resistance in Bassem Khandakji’s A Mask That is the Color of the Sky: A Thing Theory Perspective | ||
| CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education | ||
| Article 1, Volume 87, Issue 1, July 2024, Pages 1-22 PDF (474.48 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/opde.2024.384362 | ||
| Author | ||
| Abeer Mostafa Abdelrazek Elgamal | ||
| Associate Professor of English Literature Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, Mansoura University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This article explores Bassem Khandakji's award-winning novel A Mask That is the Color of the Sky, through the lens of Thing Theory. It argues that objects within the narrative reveal deeper insights into Palestinian identity, resistance, and cultural memory. Central to the analysis are the symbolic roles of the mask, archaeological relics, and other artifacts, which transcend their materiality to embody complex histories and personal struggles. Thing Theory, as articulated by scholars like Bill Brown and Arjun Appadurai, posits that objects are active participants in shaping human experience. In Khandakji’s novel, the mask becomes a metaphor for the fluidity of identity, while the relics connect the protagonist to his heritage, illustrating the dynamic value of objects. This study highlights the power of material objects in association with identity and historical narratives, showing how Khandakji uses objects to deepen our understanding of the Palestinian experience. By transforming everyday items into potent symbols, the novel addresses broader discourses on identity, resistance, and cultural memory, underscoring the relevance of Thing Theory in literary analysis. This investigation offers a richer, more nuanced interpretation of the novel, inviting readers to reconsider the interplay between objects and meaning in shaping human consciousness. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Thing Theory; Palestinian identity; resistance; Bassem Khandakji; A Mask That is the Color of the Sky; cultural memory | ||
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