Elsaid, R. (2025). Literature as Resistance: Challenging Dominant Narratives in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code.. CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education, 89(1), 381-399. doi: 10.21608/opde.2025.426991
Rukaya Muhammad Elsaid. "Literature as Resistance: Challenging Dominant Narratives in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code.". CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education, 89, 1, 2025, 381-399. doi: 10.21608/opde.2025.426991
Elsaid, R. (2025). 'Literature as Resistance: Challenging Dominant Narratives in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code.', CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education, 89(1), pp. 381-399. doi: 10.21608/opde.2025.426991
Elsaid, R. Literature as Resistance: Challenging Dominant Narratives in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code.. CDELT Occasional Papers in the Development of English Education, 2025; 89(1): 381-399. doi: 10.21608/opde.2025.426991
Literature as Resistance: Challenging Dominant Narratives in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code.
College of Language and Communication Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport
Abstract
This research takes a close look at the sophisticated overlapping of intertextuality and double consciousness in Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon and Ahmed Elamry's Bilal’s Code, employing a New Historicist framework to show how these literary works interact with historical narratives and cultural contexts to explore themes of identity and heritage. It begins with Kristeva’s definition of ‘intertextuality’ and Du Bois’ concept of ‘double consciousness’ which may serve as a critical framework for justifying the internal conflict experienced by marginalized individuals in a multiple-identity background. Through a comparative descriptive analysis, both Morrison and Elamry are argued to utilize intertextuality to address broader socio-political issues; but whereas Morrison examines historical traumas affecting African Americans, Elamry deals with contemporary racial dynamics facing individuals of a mixed-heritage community. By situating these narratives within their respective historical contexts, this research provides insights into how literature can challenge dominant narratives and foster critical dialogue about race and identity. Ultimately, this research contributes to literary analysis and cultural studies by elucidating the multifaceted nature of intertextuality and double consciousness, underscoring literature's power to illuminate the complexities of human experience across diverse cultural landscapes while advocating for a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles against oppression in various forms. This exploration not only deepens our understanding of these literary works but also contributes to the broader discourse on African-American literature, intertextuality, and the complexities of identity and history. By engaging with these theories and concepts, this research aims to unravel the layers of meaning in Song of Solomon and Bilal’s Code, shedding light on their intertextual references and their exploration of the concept of double consciousness. Through this comprehensive analysis, the research highlights how both Morrison and Elamry utilize their narratives as powerful tools for resistance against dominant societal norms, overall emphasizing literature's role as a catalyst for social change and a means to foster empathy and understanding across diverse communities.
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