Representations of the Jew in Libyan Prose Literature The Enemy, the Victim, the Stranger, the Symbol

Abstract

This study examines the representations of the Jewish character in Libyan prose, focusing on four primary narrative patterns: the enemy, the victim, the stranger, and the symbol. The research problem centers on understanding how Libyan literature constructed the image of the Jew as "the Other" within the narrative imagination, and how this portrayal evolved alongside Libya's historical and social shifts. The study aims to analyze the intellectual and aesthetic significance of these representations in novels and short stories. The researchers adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, examining a selection of narrative texts within their historical and political contexts. The findings reveal that the image of the Jew in Libyan literature was not static but fluctuated according to the historical era. In some texts, the character appeared as an enemy, influenced by the political discourse of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Conversely, other narratives portrayed the Jew as a victim of Fascist oppression and displacement. Furthermore, the character appeared as the "stranger" living within Libyan cities without full integration. In modern novels, however, the Jewish character has evolved into a cultural symbol reflecting memory, identity, . The study recommends expanding research into minority representations in Maghreb literature to deepen the understanding of regional cultural diversity.