Feminist Critique in the Poetry of Nazik Al-Malaika: Analyzing Al- Malaika’s Engagement with Feminist Issues in Her Work

Abstract

This study embarks on a foundational inquiry into the conceptualization of Arab feminist criticism, examining its theoretical roots and the terminological challenges arising from its transposition from Western contexts into Arab culture. The first section explores prevailing definitions of feminist criticism and analyzes ongoing debates surrounding its translation, particularly the ambiguity in selecting the most appropriate lexical equivalents. It highlights the interplay between academic frameworks and the ideological/social dimensions that have shaped the reception of feminist criticism within Arab intellectual spheres. The study then turns to the poetry of Nazik Al-Malaika as a pioneering model embodying the poet’s engagement with feminism. The second section demonstrates how Al-Malaika crafted her poetic discourse in a language that subverts dominant patriarchal structures, addressing themes of feminine identity and celebrating women’s emotional resilience and capacity for cultural insurrection. Through close readings of selected poems, the research reveals her mobilization of literary devices to incite women writers and readers to reclaim their linguistic and cultural agency. It further examines how her use of symbols and vocal presence constitutes a revolt against the historical silencing of women’s voices.