Identity conflict and representations of self-hybridization Tarhan novel A study in cultural criticism

Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the duality of identity conflict between the self and the other in the novel Al-Tarhan by Abdullah Kroum. The narrator, within the context of the novel, explores the theme of identity conflict and its impact on cultural identity. The novel portrays characters living in an environment shaped by the cultural interplay between the self (Algerian identity) and the other (the foreigner), where this conflict is evident in the characters’ daily lives and their relationship with the spatial setting. The narrative delves into how cultural identity is influenced by external factors, particularly with the imposition of foreign cultures and the challenges of globalization. Kroum further highlights the influence of the foreign other on individuals and society, showing how this influence can create internal divisions in identity between preserving cultural roots and adapting to new changes. The complexities of identity in this conflict are highlighted as the self-strives to find a balance that protects it from cultural alienation while preserving its authenticity in the face of the challenges posed by the other.