The Transformed Self Between Edith Sitwell and Nazik Al-Malaika

Abstract

The research uses a comparative methodology to examine the "transforming self" as a central theme in contemporary poetry through the experiences of Edith Sitwell and Nazik al-Mala'ika. The study focuses on establishing the characteristics of transformation associated with the creation of a poetic self and how this process has various psychological, intellectual, and aesthetic implications.

The findings indicate that both Sitwell and al-Mala'ika's poetic selves are not fixed constructs, but rather evolve as they relate to their respective human experiences and broader cultural and social contexts. Sitwell's poetic self can be characterized as anxious and defiant; it aspires to recast the world around it by way of symbolic language and unique rhythmic structures, thus capturing the tension inherent in both individual realism and a poem/poet's relationship with reality. Alternatively, al-Mala'ika's poetic self appears contemplative and sometimes defeated, but also rebellious at moments of continual social and political upheaval, embodying significant existential angst.

 This work utilizes a comparative analytical method, comparing two poets' works in order to understand how the notion of transformed self has been constructed by examining several poetic examples from each poet through mechanisms such as symbolism, interweaving tenses, and linguistic displacement. It also identifies both similarities and differences between the poets' works in terms of artistic structure and intellectual vision.

The study concluded that transformed self in modern poetry has been formed by poetic works through a series of intersections or agreements on how to address the human self crisises. Despite these similarities between the two poets, they use their own unique choices of expression and manifestation to convey that they are experiencing the transformation of the human self as well as the connection between the author and reader.

Furthermore, studies of this nature help to enhance modern literary criticism and establish a greater understanding of how contemporary poetry has undergone radical transformation in the structure of the self.