Mustafa Sadiq Al-Rafii : a non-recognized voice in the chorus of the Arabic literary revival.

Abstract

Mustafa Sadiq al-Rafii, a modem Egyptian writer with classical style, is not studied by scholars of Arabic literature as are his contemporary liberals, such as Taha Hussein. This thesis provides a historical background and a brief literary survey that helps contextualize al-Rafii, the period, and the area he came from. AI-Rafii played an important role in the two literary and intellectual schools during the Arabic literary revival, which extended from the French expedition (1798-1801) to around the middle of the twentieth century. These two schools, known as the Old and the New, vied to shape the literature and thought of Egypt and other Arab countries. The former, led by al-Rafii, promoted a return to classical Arabic styles and tried to strengthen the Islamic identity of Egypt. The latter called for cutting off Egypt from its Arabic history and rejected the dominance and continuity of classical Arabic language. AI-Rafii contributed to the Revival by supporting a line of thought that has not been favored by pro-Westernization governments, which made his legacy almost forgotten. Deriving his literature from the canon of Arabic language, culture, and history, al-Rafii produced a literature based on a revived version of classical Arabic literature, an accomplishment which makes him unique among modem Arab writers. This thesis also provides a historical background and a brief literary survey that helps contextualize al-Rafii, the period, and the area he came from