Silence and memories in the construction of identity in Abdulrazak Gurnah´s admiring silence and the last gift

In the realm of postcolonial studies, the concept of silence has not received as comprehensive an analysis as some other notions within the field. However, authors like Abdulrazak Gurnah have deftly integrated this concept into their works, thereby providing a distinctive perspective on narratives o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Carlos Sola, Maialen de
Tipo de recurso: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Alcalá (UAH)
Repositorio:e_Buah Biblioteca Digital Universidad de Alcalá
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ebuah.uah.es:10017/58447
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10017/58447
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Abdulrazak Gurnah
Silence
Subaltern
Postcolonial
Silencio
Subalterno
Zanzíbar
Literatura
Filología
Literature
Philology
Descripción
Sumario:In the realm of postcolonial studies, the concept of silence has not received as comprehensive an analysis as some other notions within the field. However, authors like Abdulrazak Gurnah have deftly integrated this concept into their works, thereby providing a distinctive perspective on narratives of immigration. Despite boasting an illustrious career as both a writer and an academic, it was only upon being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2021 that Gurnah’s work garnered the recognition it undeniably merited. This dissertation seeks to redress this imbalance and cast a spotlight on Abdulrazak Gurnah’s invaluable contributions, with a focused lens on the intricate formation of identity. To accomplish this aim, the dissertation centres its attention on Gurnah’s novels Admiring Silence (1996) and The Last Gift (2011). These two literary works encapsulate the full scope of the author's career and offer rich material for insightful examination. Through a comparative analysis of these novels, the study delves profoundly into the intricate complexities of identity construction within the realm of first-generation immigrants. It further scrutinises the roles that silence and untruths play in moulding notions of home and belonging. Concurrently, the exploration extends to investigating the potential for hybridity amid the tapestry of immigrant experiences. This endeavour seeks not only to amplify Abdulrazak Gurnah’s narrative voice but also to illuminate the concepts of silence and the perception of the subaltern within his characters and tales. Additionally, it takes into account his personal life and the political landscape of Zanzibar to gain a better understanding of the novels and the figure of the author himself.