Binary Oppositions in the Poetry of Zainal al-Sufi: A Leaf Falling Upwards as a ModeI

Abstract

Life is full of contradictions and opposing dualities, which make it diverse and ever-changing to align with the varying tastes of humanity. Its beauty is only revealed when these dualities are gathered within a single framework. This research centers on the opposing dualities presented by Zainel Al-Sufi in his poetry collection, "A Leaf Falling Upwards" (Waraqa Tasqut Ila Al-A'la), as these elements embody the core essence of the collection.

​The research addresses the concept of duality and contrast by dividing the study into two sections:

​Objective Dualities: Focused on proximity and distance (Life and Death, Pleasure and Pain, Hope and Despair).

​Verbal Dualities: Focused on movement and stillness, color contrast, and presence and absence.

​The study aims to deconstruct Al-Sufi's poetic text to uncover the fundamental dualities that form it, and to explore how the tension between opposites enriches the poem's depth and vitality. This helps in understanding the poet’s philosophical worldview, whether optimistic or pessimistic. Furthermore, this research aims to apply modern critical approaches, such as Structuralism and Semiotics, to contemporary Arabic poetry, opening new horizons in the study of poetic texts.