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Abstract This study attempts to explore Postcolonial concepts within the paradigm of Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) and Culture and Imperialism (1993). The two selected novels, Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North (1966) and Leila Abouelela’s The Translator (1999), are examined for being relevant to the core of the thesis; the West-East dichotomies to question European ambivalence towards the Self/Other binary division. The two books written by Edward Said discuss the principles of Postcolonial theory in view of the mysterious Orient, stereotypical images about the Orient, the power and knowledge of the West, and the distorted image of Islam. Besides, in this thesis the East- West dichotomy as well as Western Orientalist dogmas are illustrated; the principle of inequality, the master-slave relationship, the centrality of the White European, the ”male conception of the World”, and the Oriental as a child are represented in Orientalism. In addition, Postcolonial literature is discussed by Edward Said. In addition, the study reads Season of Migration to the North (1966) by Tayeb Salih in the light of Postcolonialism. This Arabic novel is chosen as one of the most perfect hundred novels in the 20th century in the Arab world since it embodies the clash of civilizations successfully. Tayeb Salih forms a narrative to expose Orientalist discourse refusing to bridge gaps between cultures in his novel affirming that there is no reconciliation between the East and the West who has led the ages of imperialism. It epitomizes the binary relationship between the East and the West which is explored within the paradigm of Postcolonial theories. Salih also confirms the validity and spirituality of the East enhancing the ethnic identity. Moreover, Salih revolutionizes the Arab patriarchal society which has marginalized women’s rights depicting the effects of cross-cultural relationships. ٥ Besides, the thesis analyzes The Translator (1999) by Leila Aboulela from a Postcolonial perspective. The Translator shows the West-East dichotomy differently; Leila Aboulela attempts to subvert Western conventional Orientalist knowledge and power so as to bridge the gaps between different cultures calling for multiculturalism in an attempt to create coexistence between the East and the West. Aboulela forms a narrative rebutted the Orientalist stereotypical images making an emphasis on the validity of the East. The novel can also be read in context of Islamic, national and ethic loyalties. Finally, the study draws a comparison between Leila Aboulela’s The Translator and Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North in the manner of writing back, addressing questions of history, culture, ethnicity and gender. Key words: Postcolonialism, binary division, clash of civilizations, cross-cultural relations, ethnic loyalties, Orientalist discourse, multiculturalism. |