Abstract

This paper is intended to examine the concept of national identity and how it is quested and portrayed in Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry. The paper explores Darwish’s quest for identity through different phases: language, homeland, roots and ancerstors, belonging, nature, culture, traditions, and exile. Palestine for Darwish is not only an origin or homeland, but it is an identity. Darwish adds some themes connected with the concept of homeland illustrated by references or images of mother, geography, history, farming, and folkloric heritage. Besides, identity for Darwish is three- dimensional: Palestinian, national, and human.

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