Abstract

Sa’d Allah Wannūs (1941-1997) was a renowned Syrian playwright whose plays aimed at stimulating audience’s reactions against the impacts of the political situation after the setback of 1967. Wannūs first highlights the complex interrelationship between the rise of power structures and hegemonic rule colored by the leaders’ aspirations. Such collision with inexorable mapping of reality incites the audience to incarnate an inspiring future that is not influenced by the past or co-opted with the complex interrelated power structures. Wannūs portrays a world that the French philosophers Gilles Deleuze (1925-1995) and Felix Guattari (1930-1992) theorize as the “rhizome” in which hegemonic societies are established in horizontal de-territorialized structures rather than vertically rooted. Because this structure is mapped rather than traced, the Australian critic Bill Ashcroft suggests that this resisting structure is an opportunity for transformation and way out from the historical hegemony. Deleuze describes this transformation as exemplified in literature by transforming the hegemonic cultures not through “logic of predication of truth”; that is, the author does not embellish the future or propose predictions, but through refracting from the tracings and then mapping the “logic of sense” in reaching the “becoming” assemblage; that is the author highlights that change is required but he does not spell out this change; he urges the audience to take the lead and role to remap the future. Wannūs also adapts the Brechtian techniques of estrangement in the Arabic theatre in order to involve audience in the status que and awaken their responsibility. Wannūs uses Brechtian dramatic techniques in certain extent. However, he adapts the Arabic environment in order to ensure the involvement of laymen. This thesis selects works by the Syrian playwright Wannūs that were published in 1968 through 1996, as they are illuminated by the theoretical framework of Brecht, Deleuze and Guattari, and the critical writing of Wannūs, in political theatre.

Department

Arab & Islamic Civilizations Department

Degree Name

MA in Arabic Studies

Graduation Date

6-1-2016

Submission Date

May 2016

First Advisor

Ferial, Ghazoul

Committee Member 1

Shereen, Abou Elnaga

Committee Member 2

Heba, Elabbadi

Extent

98 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

Comments

I would like to acknowledge the extensive support and efforts given by Professor Shereen Abou Elnaga and Professor Ferial Ghazoul in the last year. Without their support, detailed attention and review, this work would have never come to light.

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