Precarious Lives and Marginal Bodies in North Africa: Homo Expendibilis

Homo Expendibilis explores North African literature's relationship with political philosophy, sociology, and literary analysis, focusing on the representation of violence and the lives of marginalized people. It argues that precarity in North Africa has become a body of exception, and that a deeper understanding of this precarity is essential for understanding contemporary politics and insecurity. The marginal bodies of North Africa offer unique insights into society and challenge dominant ideas from the center.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Marginal Bodies and Precarious Lives in North Africa: Homo Expendibilis is a groundbreaking examination of North African literature that delves into the intricate intersections of literary analysis, political philosophy, and sociology. The author embarks on a profound exploration, analyzing the social categories in relation to civil and social protections, with a particular focus on the consequences of disruptions to these safeguards. At the core of the author's analysis lies the notion that precarious lives in North Africa have transcended mere existence and have become authentic bodies of exception. These lives are deemed dangerous, expendable, and undeserving of the rights and treatment extended to full citizens. Consequently, the author assesses portrayals of violence in contemporary literature as a manifestation of the existing chasm between the socially marginalized and those who wield colonial, political, and religious power. Furthermore, the author argues that a deeper understanding of precarity in North Africa, spanning from colonial times to the present, is essential in comprehending contemporary politics and the prevailing climate of insecurity. By asserting their right to exist, the author contends that the marginal bodies of North Africa provide unique insights into the society that has marginalized them, challenging the dominant ideas of the center from the often unheard and invisible periphery.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793640772