|
Author
|
Comment
|
Jessica
Unregistered User
(4/20/04 9:28 am)
|
Deconstruction of "Arabian Nights"
Hello, my name is Jessica and I am currently undertaking an English "major work" focussed on deconstructing notions of Eurocentrism, Orientalism and Othering in modern appropriations of "Arabian Nights" and analysing how these reflect changes in Western attitudes (or lack thereof) towards the Orient. I was so excited to discover your site not only because I realise there are already users here who have an interest in Orientalism and “Arabian Nights”, but also because of the obvious expertise of the members of this site. If anyone could provide me with suggestions of suitable interpretations for my purpose or any other information relevant to my major work I would be most grateful.
Many thanks
Regards,
Jessica
|
InkGypsy
Unregistered User
(4/21/04 9:07 pm)
|
Scheherezade too?
Just wondering if you're interested in Scheherezade too - if so there are a ton of novels. It seems to me that Scheherazade has become more and more admired as a savvy, brave heroine. Our modern POV also seems to be allowing more and more the exploration of true love under hard and risky conditions in that time and culture. I would also recommend a viewing of the Hallmark DVD Arabian Nights with Mili Avital and John Lequizamo - although inconsistent it has some nice moments with use of symbolic imagery.
A brief but useful booklist:
Shadow Spinner
by Susan Fletcher
The Riddle of Scheherazade: And Other Amazing Puzzles
by Raymond Smullyan
The Journals of Scheherazade: Poems
by Sheryl St. Germain
Arabian Nights and Days : A Novel
by Naguib Mahfouz
Chimera
by John Barth
The Angel with One Hundred Wings : A Tale from the Arabian Nights
by Daniel Horch
Eva Luna
by Isabel Allende
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall : Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales
(compiled by Kate Bernheimer) there's a great essay/story by Julia Alvarez included.
There are many interweavings of Arabian Nights motifs and the storytelling device as a tactic (particularly for women) in various modern movies and Scheherezade is often poetically referenced in fiction as a comparitive symbol of bravery, wit and feminine heroism.
Is this the direction you're going or are you needing something more specific?
|
InkGypsy
Unregistered User
(4/22/04 10:40 am)
|
One more...
And I forgot to add Cameron Dokey's Storyteller's Daughter...
|
