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384362

Identity and Resistance in Bassem Khandakji’s A Mask That is the Color of the Sky: A Thing Theory Perspective

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Last updated: 25 Dec 2024

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Abstract

This article explores Bassem Khandakji's award-winning novel A Mask That is the Color of the Sky, through the lens of Thing Theory. It argues that objects within the narrative reveal deeper insights into Palestinian identity, resistance, and cultural memory. Central to the analysis are the symbolic roles of the mask, archaeological relics, and other artifacts, which transcend their materiality to embody complex histories and personal struggles. Thing Theory, as articulated by scholars like Bill Brown and Arjun Appadurai, posits that objects are active participants in shaping human experience. In Khandakji's novel, the mask becomes a metaphor for the fluidity of identity, while the relics connect the protagonist to his heritage, illustrating the dynamic value of objects. This study highlights the power of material objects in association with identity and historical narratives, showing how Khandakji uses objects to deepen our understanding of the Palestinian experience. By transforming everyday items into potent symbols, the novel addresses broader discourses on identity, resistance, and cultural memory, underscoring the relevance of Thing Theory in literary analysis. This investigation offers a richer, more nuanced interpretation of the novel, inviting readers to reconsider the interplay between objects and meaning in shaping human consciousness.

DOI

10.21608/opde.2024.384362

Keywords

Thing Theory, Palestinian identity, resistance, Bassem Khandakji, A Mask That is the Color of the Sky, Cultural memory

Authors

First Name

Abeer Mostafa Abdelrazek

Last Name

Elgamal

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Associate Professor of English Literature Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, Mansoura University

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Volume

87

Article Issue

1

Related Issue

50844

Issue Date

2024-07-01

Receive Date

2024-10-06

Publish Date

2024-07-01

Page Start

1

Page End

22

Print ISSN

1110-2721

Online ISSN

2735-3591

Link

https://opde.journals.ekb.eg/article_384362.html

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https://opde.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=384362

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1

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Original Article

Type Code

1,140

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education

Publication Link

https://opde.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Identity and Resistance in Bassem Khandakji’s A Mask That is the Color of the Sky: A Thing Theory Perspective

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Article

Created At

25 Dec 2024