Journal of Woman in Culture and Arts

Female War Narratives: Studying the Reflection of the Algerian War in the Works of Assia Djebar

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Farideh Alavi 1
Zeinab Rezvantalab 2

1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature, University of Tehran

2 Phd Candidate in French Literature–Comparative Literature, University of Tehran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jwica.2013.36487
Abstract
Having glanced at the history of women’s literature in Algeria, we will now study some women’s narratives through the famous writer Assia Djebar’s works with the descriptive-analysis method. The study shows that until the recent century the language and literature has been dominated by the men reflecting the male point of view. However, as war was a major event experienced by women in a particular manner, the necessity for the female narratives and points of view is evident. Assia Djebar is the first Algerian female writer who addresses the independence war in the novel Children of the New World. Highly influential in the history of Algerian Literature, the novel is further proof of women’s talent in writing and eases other women’s entrance to this area. The war is a major and fixed theme throughout the works of Assia Djebar.  Not only does Assia Djebar addresses the freedom of Algiers from a female point of view, but she also points out the importance of women’s freedom from social limitations and prejudice which differentiates her works from other war related literature. Furthermore, her portrayal of women’s specific issues, suffering, and their way of resistance signifies the women’s participation in the independence of the country, which has been overlooked or undermined in the works of male writers.

Keywords

Algeria
Assia Djebar
literature
War
Women
Journal of Woman in Culture and Arts
Volume 5, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Autumn 2013
Pages 415-431

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