Dana Alawneh

Abstract

This thesis explores the work of two storytelling groups in Cairo through different conceptual frameworks. Affect, class politics, marginalization, art and the political are the main lenses through which I delve into the work of the groups in an attempt to understand a condition in which such groups exist and what it means to be part of a storytelling community in Cairo. Moreover, through my analysis I try to question the approaches of each group towards the issues they address, why and how they choose to tell certain stories. Moreover I question the method how the stories are told and whether they contributes into creating, emphasizing or reproducing certain discourses within the society while trying to change another. In order to understand how the stories come to life and eventually become a performance, I go behind the curtains to understand the processes of the making of those stories, and the capacity of those stories to affect others and potentially enable something, even if it was only on the level of change among the group members themselves, therefore I explore the transformations the storytellers went through, the revisiting and deconstruction of situations in their lives, in the process of writing/ performing, as well as in the construction of those groups. I argue that by revisiting affects possibilities and potentialities are created.

Department

Cynthia Nelson Institute for Gender and Women's Studies

Degree Name

MA in Gender & Women's Studies

Graduation Date

2-1-2015

Submission Date

September 2015

First Advisor

Rieker, Martina

Committee Member 1

Rizzo, Helen

Committee Member 2

Terrell, Jennifer Yvette

Extent

81 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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