النص
Volume 9, Numéro 2, Pages 445-469
2024-02-20

The Manifestations Of Legendin Contemporary Arab Literary Text The Story Of 'the Water Trills' By Sanaa Shaalan (a Case Study)

Authors : Rebaani Ouerda . Hachelafi Lakhdar .

Abstract

Abstract: Legends hold a fundamental position in literary studies, encompassing two distinct yet intertwined human activities. A legend, withitsrhetorical dimension, converges, whileliterature, withits imaginative positivity, diverges. Builtuponthispremise, numerouslegends have seized the attention of literaryscholars. A legend serves as rawmaterial, harnessed by writers for itsreservoir of vital energies and vibrant significancethatelevateliterature to enrichedlevels of novelty and dynamism. Emergingfrom the core of legends, whichessentiallyencapsulate a humanexperienceinterwovenwith imagination and creativity, the legendarypresence has asserteditselfacrossvariousliterary genres, includingpoetry, theatre, novels, and short stories. Significantly, amongthese genres, short stories stand as a captivating conduit for the charm of legends. Considering that legends inherently intrigue researchers for their intrinsic connection to human experiences, characterised by their all-encompassing and human-centred nature, a series of inquiries naturally arise. These inquiries hold significant importance:  To what extent does the presence of a legend influence the composition of literary texts?  What motivations underlie the use of legends? What multifaceted considerations do authors take into account when incorporating them? To illustrate this investigation, we have chosen a contemporary short story authored by Sanaa Shaalan from Jordan, titled "The Water Trills." This narrative serves as an exemplary case study within a legendary critical framework, while adhering to the principles of the legendary approach.

Keywords

Keywords: legend, literary text, water hymns, Sanaa Shaalan.