Famous quote by Naguib Mahfouz

"We used the Western style to express our own themes and stories. But don't forget that our heritage includes The Thousand and One Nights"

About this Quote

Naguib Mahfouz, a well-known Egyptian author and Nobel laureate, provides an extensive insight in his quote: "We utilized the Western style to reveal our own styles and stories. But don't forget that our heritage includes The Thousand and One Nights". This declaration encapsulates the vibrant interplay in between Western literary impacts and intrinsic Middle Eastern cultural stories.

The first part of the quote, "We utilized the Western style to express our own themes and stories", acknowledges the impact of Western literary forms and strategies on Mahfouz and other writers in the Arab world. During the 20th century, Western literature provided various narrative tools and structures that numerous non-Western authors adjusted, enabling them to access a global audience and take part in a wider literary conversation. The 'Western design' might include structured plot progression, the novel kind, or character-driven storytelling that were popular in Western literary traditions.

However, Mahfouz stresses that while these Western storytelling techniques are used, the styles and stories are endemic and distinct to their own culture. This indicates that the stories, conflicts, contexts, and characters they check out are deeply rooted in the lived truths and historical experiences of Arab individuals. By doing so, Mahfouz and his contemporaries develop a literary combination that is notified by Western forms but substantively rich with local color and credibility.

The latter part of the quote, "But do not forget that our heritage consists of The Thousand and One Nights", is a poignant tip of the rich storytelling custom from the Middle East, represented by the renowned collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. "The Thousand and One Nights", also known as "Arabian Nights", represents an abundant tank of storytelling that highlights creativity, ethical lessons, and intricate characters, showing the cultural and historical mosaic of the Arab world.

In his statement, Mahfouz highlights the significance of not losing sight of one's cultural heritage, even when engaging with and adapting foreign impacts. His quote is a call for balance-- adopting global literary techniques while preserving and commemorating one's own cultural stories. This hybridization not only enhances the literature of the Arab world but likewise ensures the survival and development of its abundant storytelling heritage in a significantly interconnected world.

About the Author

Egypt Flag This quote is written / told by Naguib Mahfouz between December 11, 1911 and August 30, 2006. He/she was a famous Novelist from Egypt. The author also have 40 other quotes.
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