The various representations of the intellectual in Shahla Ujayli’s : a sky so close to us (2019)‎

Abstract EN

This article examines the various representaions of the intellectual in Shahla Ujayli’s A Sky So Close To Us (2019).

It investigates the portrayal of both male and female intellectuals in the novel.

It discusses first Joumane Badran, as an exilic intellectual, who attempts to defend the marginalized and victimized people even though she is an intellectual.

Ujayli describes Joumane’s feelings and experiences in exile using cancer as a metaphor for her journey to overcome her hardship and become a happy exilic figure.

Besides, this article also deals with Dr.

Nasser al- Amerieh who is another exilic intellectual who is happy despite the fact that he faces displacement several times.

It also focuses on Dr.

Yaacoub Sharif who is another exilic intellectual who feels unhappy.

Hence, Edward Said’s writings on the definition of the intellectual and exilic intellectual are paramount to analyze these three characters.

This article does not only uncover exilic intellectuals but also attempts to delve into another Emersonian character whose name is Suhayl Badran.

It reveals how the latter follows Ralph Waldo Emerson’s life; thus, Emerson’s representation of the intellectual is also required for the analysis.