May Serhan

Abstract

Mariam Naoum's literary adaptations to television in the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian uprising have carried wide cultural, political and literary implications, especially where the "woman question" is concerned. With Islamism and militarism both threatening to exclude a wide sector of women from the historical narrative of the uprising and the subsequent nation-building process, and with a male-dominated literary establishment that systematically relegates women to secondary roles, Naoum's writing re-affirmed gendered agency both on the level of social engagement and authorship. Chapter one of the thesis provides the theoretical framework and historical backdrop necessary for understanding how female writing can contest various male-sanctioned boundaries so as to define gender, cultural and national identities on its own terms. Chapters two, three and four examine the various applications of these ideas. Chapter two focuses on how the female writer turns the stagnant political moment of Osama Anwar Okasha's novel, Munkhafad al-Hind al-Mawsimyy into a hopeful narrative empowered by women that are responsible for bringing about change to the nation. Chapter three looks at how a completely disenfranchised female protagonist in Sonallah Ibrahim's Dhat is freed in the adaptation to represent a nation that is in full possession of itself and its future. Finally, chapter four is a critical reading of how Naoum reinterprets gendered agency in Fathiyya al- Assal's Sign al-Nisa' through a process of meaning construction, which breaks down many of the static and disabling labels attached to gender. By capitalizing on the power of adaptation, of television drama, and of Ramadan's high access to audiences of all stripes, Mariam Naoum writes gendered agency into the nation at a critical time in groundbreaking ways.

Department

Arab & Islamic Civilizations Department

Degree Name

MA in Arabic Studies

Graduation Date

2-1-2018

Submission Date

September 2017

First Advisor

Mehrez, Samia

Committee Member 1

Talib, Adam

Committee Member 2

Hishmat, Dina

Extent

125 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

To my dear friend and teacher, Dr. Samia Mehrez. Thank you for always pushing me beyond the limits I set for myself, for all the opportunities you have given me, and for your unwavering support; All the love, gratitude and respect. To my sister Nermin Serhan for setting me on this path, way back when I had a love for literature and did not really know what to do with it. To my husband Wael Omar, thank you for your patience. It has been taxing with two children born during this process. I could not have done it without you. Finally, to the most amazing kids, Zein and Nadia. You might be too young to understand now, but you have provided me with the strongest impetus and a relentless drive to complete what I set out to do. May it shine before you as a reminder to always be curious, passionate, and dedicated to the things you love.

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