Transformations of Arabic Narrative in the Age of Globalization: The Impact of Western Literature on Modern Arabic Fiction

تحولات السرد العربي في ظل العولمة: أثر الأدب الغربي على القصة العربية الحديثة

Abstract

In recent decades, the Arab literary scene has undergone profound transformations in its intellectual and artistic structure, driven by the rapid openness to the Western world under what has come to be known as globalization. Globalization is no longer merely an economic or political system; it has evolved into a soft power with cultural and literary dimensions that cross borders and reshape individual and collective identities. Its influence is clearly evident in the genre of modern Arabic fiction, which is no longer confined to local themes or traditional forms. Instead, it draws inspiration from Western narrative experiences—both in terms of artistic structure and philosophical or humanistic content.

The Western impact on Arabic literature has presented a cultural challenge to Arab writers, who found themselves confronted with literary and intellectual models quite different from their traditional frameworks. This study explores and analyzes the influence of globalization and Western literature on Arabic fiction. It aims to trace the aspects of influence and interaction between modern Arabic literature and Western literary schools, while also shedding light on the cultural dimensions related to identity. It further examines the extent to which Arabic fiction has been able to reconcile openness to the other with the preservation of its civilizational and literary distinctiveness.

This interaction is not merely a process of imitation; rather, it is a conscious appropriation of foreign influences, adapted to the Arab context, alongside genuine attempts at innovation and distinction within this complex cultural framework. Based on a comparative critical approach, this study investigates the effects of globalization on modern Arabic fiction and how Western literature has shaped contemporary narrative models. It also addresses the cultural challenges faced by Arabic fiction in its effort to maintain its literary identity and raises questions about the ability of Arabic literature to absorb these influences without losing its cultural and linguistic specificity.

Keywords: Arabic Fiction, Globalization, Western Literature, Cultural Identity, Literary Transformation, Narrative Structure, Arab-Western Encounter, Comparative Literature