Immigration and its aftermath in selected novels of Henry James and Husam Barzinji

Other Title(s)

الهجرة و آثارها في روايتين لهنري جيمز و حسام البرزنجي

Dissertant

Barzani, Miad Muhammad

Thesis advisor

Qirdaghi, Ismail Muhammad Fahmi

Comitee Members

Barazani, Shirzad Shafi
Sharif, Akram A.
Sulayman, Tara Tahir
Fattah, Muhammad Maruf

University

Salahaddin University-Hawler

Faculty

College of Languages

University Country

Iraq

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2009

English Abstract

The present thesis investigates the concept of immigration in Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady (1881) and Husam Barzinji’s Zalil (The Humble) (1982), with two distinctive interpretations in both American and Kurdish cultures.

Despite many similarities found between works, such as reasons and motives for immigration, and its consequences, immigration stands as a very inviting and interesting scholarly pursuit.

Immigration was and is still to be a subject very popular in the 19th century and the 20th century writings.

Numerous writers from various countries using different languages dealt with this selfsame concept of immigration (each from his own point of view) to produce memorable literary works addressing universal truths that are equally meaningful to all mankind.

The thesis is divided into five chapters : Chapter one gives a general background about immigration as a universal phenomenon, in particular, in American and Kurdish history.

The chapter also investigates the relationship between immigration and literature in both American and Kurdish cultures.

Then, the emergence of Migrant Literature as the real outcome of immigration in literature is introduced.

Chapter two is devoted to Henry James’s life and literary career, and his works.

The main concern of the chapter is the in-depth analysis of his masterpiece, The Portrait of a Lady (1881).

Then, the concept of immigration is examined in the novel to find the reasons and outcomes of the immigration Process.

Chapter three is about Husam Barzinji’s biography, his literary career, and his works.

Zalil (The Humble man) (1982), as one of the writer’s most remarkable works, is analyzed and investigated to find out the reflection of immigration on their characters.

A detailed introduction with various definitions of comparative literature and its methods is presented in the fourth chapter, followed by a comparison of both works on the basis of the American school of comparative literature.

Finally, in chapter five the most important concluding remarks of the study are presented: The reasons, motives, and consequences, along with the main differences between the works are shown, with further suggestions for additional studies on the subject.

It is proved in the conclusion that the dimensions of immigration in both novels are affected and motivated by almost similar factors circumstances, leading to similar consequences.

Isolation, alienation, and exile have great role to play in both novels as motives, factors, and consequences.

This has been reached as a result of the same method of investigation applied to both writers by using the same outline to make the results objective.

Main Subjects

Literature

Topics

• Immigration
• literature

No. of Pages

118

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-310783