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Contexts of Arabic Literature
In the chapter, Allen provides a detailed context that allows the investigation of the Arabic literature in terms of genres. To fulfill this, the text provides information on the literary traditions of Arabic literature that relate to the physical and linguistic contexts. The text provides the background on the rulers of the society under focus and the patterns of authority that relate to changes in Arabic literature. The text further cites historians that help the reader understand the arguments of the contexts of the Arabic literature. By citing Ibn Khaldun’s model of historical understanding, Allen (10) presents culture and civilization as the main influences of the Arabic literature.
According to Allen (10), the growth of cities led to the development, cultural changes and debate that found its way into literature. This is further magnified by the view of the world by Arabs and the Islamic religion as monoliths and fusing the two concepts into one meaning. In addition, the context of the Arabic literature is influenced by the Arabic language that is commonly perceived to be spoken by natives based on situations. Moreover, the language context contributes to the way people view Arabic literature from the internal scene and global scene.
The physical context significantly influences the understanding of the Arabic literature due to the direct factors that relate to literature and the environment. According to Allen (15), the environmental context also contributes to the understanding of the Arabic culture. The harsh desert terrain greatly limited the any outside influence over the Arabic culture, which gives a clue to the understanding of the literature. Moreover, the Islamic religion further gives a dimension that needs understanding in the quest to investigate the Arabic literature.
Work Cited
Allen, Roger. An Introduction to Arabic Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2000, Print