Daniela Potenza

Tensions of discourse in Muḏakkirāt miṯliyya by Fāṭima al-Zahrā’ Amzkār: A sensational example of gendered representation through fictional autobiography

Introduction

Tensions of discourse in muḏakkirāt miṯliyya by fāṭima al-zahrā’ amzkār: a sensational example of gendered representation through fictional autobiography. Explore Fāṭima al-Zahrā’ Amzkār's controversial novel, "Muḏakkirāt miṯliyya," examining its gendered representation, memory, identity, and the discourse of shame/pride within Morocco.

Abstract

Fāṭima al-Zahrā’ Amzkār’s debut novel, Muḏakkirāt miṯliyya (‘Memoirs of a Lesbian,’ 2022), caused a scandal in Morocco when it was banned from Rabat’s 2022 International Book Fair. This article first examines the expectations generated by the novel’s title, specifically within the context of the Moroccan women’s muḏakkirāt genre, and explores the nuances it assumes when combined with the term miṯliyya. Next, using a cognitive narratology approach informed by trauma studies, the article demonstrates how the construction of memory and identity in this fictional autobiography is both realistic and suspenseful, thereby eliciting the reader empathy for the narrator. Finally, it identifies a discourse of shame and pride embedded within the novel, situating it in the Moroccan socio-cultural context. This discourse helps explain the novel’s controversial nature and justifies its existence (despite its ban in Morocco), highlighting the socially transformative power of openly embracing what is typically stigmatized as shameful, despite prevailing gendered norms. The conclusion synthesizes the perspectives from the three sections to assess whether the author’s engagement with this gendered representation can be understood within the tension between distinct poles (writer/narrator, fiction/reality, global/local, past/future).

Review

This article promises a timely and insightful examination of Fāṭima al-Zahrā’ Amzkār’s controversial debut novel, *Muḏakkirāt miṯliyya*, whose ban from the 2022 Rabat International Book Fair immediately signals its socio-cultural significance. The proposed analysis effectively situates the novel within the Moroccan women’s *muḏakkirāt* genre, carefully dissecting the expectations generated by its title and the specific implications of combining it with the term *miṯliyya*. By focusing on the "tensions of discourse," the article immediately establishes a critical lens for understanding the complex layers of gendered representation at play. This approach is highly relevant for contemporary discussions around censorship, literary activism, and LGBTQ+ representation in conservative contexts. The methodology outlined, utilizing cognitive narratology informed by trauma studies, appears robust and well-suited to the subject matter. The article intends to demonstrate how the novel's construction of memory and identity achieves a compelling blend of realism and suspense, designed to elicit reader empathy for the narrator. A particularly strong aspect is the identification and analysis of a discourse of shame and pride, thoughtfully embedded within the novel and expertly situated within its Moroccan socio-cultural context. This nuanced exploration promises to illuminate the reasons behind the novel’s controversial reception, while simultaneously advocating for its inherent value and socially transformative power in openly addressing stigmatized themes, thereby challenging prevailing gendered norms. Overall, this article makes a substantial contribution to the fields of Arabic literature, gender studies, and cultural criticism. By synthesizing perspectives from its three analytical sections, it aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of Amzkār’s engagement with gendered representation through a framework of compelling tensions: writer/narrator, fiction/reality, global/local, and past/future. The article's commitment to exploring a "sensational example" of queer representation in a deeply contextualized manner is commendable. It offers a critical and empathetic lens through which to understand the brave act of storytelling in the face of societal stigma, ultimately highlighting the profound impact of literature as a catalyst for social change.

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