Literary License and the West’s Romance with Afghanistan

Literary License and the West's Romance with Afghanistan examines the role of literature and poetic sensibility in colonial British and American writings on Afghanistan, exploring the connections forged in print through fantastic and familiar assumptions regarding the region and its people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Literary License and the West's Romance with Afghanistan is a comprehensive study that examines the role of literature and poetic sensibility in colonial British and American writings on Afghanistan from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries. It also delves into the impact of literature and literariness on western discourses framing Afghanistan.

The British Romantic Orientalists of the 19th century were particularly drawn to the region, perceiving it as an alien space where they could reinvent themselves in print and in life. These writers, including scholars, civil servants, and wives or professional women, were inspired by the region and often crossed ethnic, national, and imaginative boundaries.

This book explores the connections that were forged in print through fantastic and familiar assumptions regarding the region and its people. It highlights the ways in which literature has shaped our understanding of Afghanistan and its people, and how it has contributed to the construction of Western discourses about the region.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea of the "Other" in Afghanistan. The British Romantic Orientalists were fascinated by the exoticism of the region and the idea of the "Other" as a source of inspiration and fascination. They often portrayed the Afghans as primitive, barbaric, and uncivilized, and their writings contributed to the construction of a negative image of the country in Western society.

However, the book also challenges this negative image and reveals the complex and diverse nature of Afghan society. It highlights the Afghans' rich cultural heritage, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their contributions to world culture.

Another important theme of the book is the role of literature in shaping Western discourses about Afghanistan. The British Romantic Orientalists' writings were influential in shaping the Western perception of the region, and their portrayal of the Afghans as primitive and barbaric contributed to the justification of colonialism and imperialism.

However, the book also shows how literature can be used to challenge these discourses and promote a more nuanced and accurate understanding of Afghanistan. It highlights the work of contemporary Afghan writers and scholars who have challenged the negative image of the country and have contributed to the development of a more positive and inclusive discourse about Afghanistan.

In conclusion, Literary License and the West's Romance with Afghanistan is a valuable and insightful study that explores the role of literature and poetic sensibility in colonial British and American writings on Afghanistan from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries. It highlights the ways in which literature has shaped our understanding of Afghanistan and its people, and how it has contributed to the construction of Western discourses about the region. It also challenges the negative image of the country and reveals the complex and diverse nature of Afghan society.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666911657