Social rebellion in the poetry of Hussein Mardan and Latif Halmat - A comparative study

Abstract

The poets Hussein Mardan and Latif Helmat are known to their readers for their rebellious nature, as their texts abound with various forms of rebellion—particularly social rebellion, and more specifically, rebellion of the self. This study is derived from a doctoral dissertation titled "Rebellion in the Poetry of Hussein Mardan and Latif Helmat: A Comparative Study." It comprises an introduction and a comparative analytical study of the poets' texts—which embody social rebellion—followed by a conclusion summarizing the study's findings.

In modern poetry, social rebellion manifests in diverse forms: rebellion against tribal and social norms and traditions; artistic rebellion against traditional poetic rules; and psychological rebellion, which expresses the self's struggle with the past and tradition. Political rebellion is also a prominent aspect of social rebellion in the modern era; poets have expressed their rejection of unjust authorities, corruption, class oppression, and political tyranny—drawing inspiration from concepts of freedom and human rights—as seen in the works of Nazik Al-Malaika, Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab, Muzaffar Al-Nawab, and others. However, the specific focus of this chapter is social rebellion.

Both Arabic and Kurdish poetry have utilized social rebellion as a tool for resistance and rejection, though the contexts and themes differ. Arabic poetry tends to embody rebellion in its various forms—individual, social, and artistic—reflecting aspirations for freedom and renaissance. In contrast, Kurdish poetry is characterized by a collective rebellion that focuses on the rights of the Kurdish people, national identity, and a persistent rejection of political injustice.