TRACES OF CLASSICAL ARABIC LITERATURE IN JOKHA AL-HARTHI’S SAYYIDAAT AL-QAMAR

آثار الأدب العربي الكلاسيكي في رواية ’’سيدات القمر‘‘لجوخة الحارثي

Abstract

The paper explores the presence and function of classical Arabic literary references in Jokha al-Harthi’s award winning novel Celestial Bodies (Sayyidaat al-Qamar). Awarded the 2019 International Booker Prize, the novel transcends its narrative of Omani society and womanhood to engage deeply with the cultural and literary legacy of the Arab-Islamic world. The study identifies key instances where classical Arabic poetry and prose are embedded into the novel's fabric. These references are not mere aesthetic embellishments but serve as structural and thematic tools that link past literary traditions with contemporary narrative forms. The paper argues that al-Harthi's use of classical literature reinforces the cultural identity of her characters and provides depth to their personal and social struggles. By interweaving heritage with innovation, Celestial Bodies exemplifies a dynamic literary continuum within modern Arabic fiction.