The rise and development of the Egyptian short story (1881-1970)

• Main Author: Abdel-Dayem, Sabry Hafez M.
• Published: SOAS, University of London 1979
• Subjects: 892.73
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.446683

The study is in two parts. The first identifies the conditions under which the short story, as a new literary genre emerged in Egypt around the turn of the century. It. follows in great detail the interaction between the genesis of the new form and a group of factors and phenomena: the cultural transition, the formation of a new reading public, the awakening of national consciousness and the quest for an identity, and the change in artistic sensibility. Against such complex interactions it studies the particular role of journalism and translation in disseminating the conventions of the new form and investigates the relationship between the new genre and the -traditional magama. Through this process it identifies the contribution of al-Nadia, Mul1amriad Lutfi Jum'a, Sälib Hamdi Hammd, Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfalüti. and Mustafa Sadiq al-Räfi`, then analyses the pioneering works of Muhammad Taymür, Isa Ibaid, Shihata `Ibaid Mahmud Taymür; and finally studies Mahmüd Tähir Läshin whose work presents the culmination of -the pioneering endeavours and brings the indigenous short story to the stage of great maturity and artistic coherence.