Fathers and Sons in Works of Fiction

Abstract

The vicissitudes of the father-son relationship is a perennial theme in Arabic works of fiction, be they short stories, novels, novellas, or plays. As effective vehicles of self-expression and social criticism, these fictional forms enable Arab writers not only to explore the psyche of their protagonists but also to chronicle their struggles against the repressive social order and its institutions, foremost among them the family. In many of these works, the family embodies forces hostile to the protagonist’s quest for autonomous and authentic selfhood. Indeed, the family is often depicted as a dysfunctional unit and as a central site of oppression. These literary works show how prevailing patriarchal values and practices weave their way into the fabric of family life and influence every aspect of it, including the father-son relationship. Frequently, this key family relationship is not only unnurturing but downright abusive. The father, as the center of patriarchal power, is the main obstacle to the son’s efforts to define himself as an individual and pursue his dreams and ambitions. In many texts, the son’s journey toward manhood is characterized by a series of clashes and conflicts with the father, who represents the past, tradition, and stasis. In the end, rebellion against the tyrannical father is the son’s only way to attain freedom and independence.