The study of poetic space in the Year of the Elephant by Laylà Abū Zayd
Abstract
This article will analyse the poetic of space in the year of the Elephant by Laylà Abū Zayd. It is based principally on studies of the poetics of space from Gaston Bachelard onward, and on other contemporary theories in literary criticism, Russian post-formalism, narratology, feminist literary theory and postcolonial studies. The study explores the space and situation of women in a system based on their exclusion and invisibility. Zahra, who fought actively for independence, is discouraged to find herself once more relegated to the shadows after the goal has been won. We focus on the poetic point of view through the microspaces in which the action of the main character takes place. The spaces that will help Zahra overcome her pain and be reborn into a new, independent life are her own room, where she retreats to recover and mediate on her situation, and above all the morabito (hermitage), a sacred space where the holy man welcomes her, listen to her, and assists her. Finally, Zahra decided to reconquer an external space, the modern city of Casablanca. This journey of Zahra symbolizes that the future of women lies in an external space: in an independent Morocco, women must also be independent.
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