Arabic Poetry

This book tackles issues of modernity and tradition in Arabic poetry as manifested in poetic texts and criticism by poets as participants in transformation and change. Employs current literary theory and provides comprehensive coverage of modern and postmodern poetry from the 1950s onwards.

Muhsin J. al-Musawi is Professor of Middle East and Asian Studies at Columbia University and University Professor at the American University of Sharjah.

1. The Tradition/Modernity Nexus in Arabic Poetics 2. Debating Hegemonic Poetics 3. Poetic Strategies for Conformity and Dissent: Past/Present Thresholds 4. Poetic Dialogization: Ancestors in the Text-Figures and Figurations 5. Dedications as Poetic Intersections: Precursors and Contemporaries 6. Envisioning Exile: Past Anchors and Problematic Encounters 7. The Edge of Recognition and Rejection: Why T.S. Eliot? 8. Conclusion: Re-inscribing Tradition