Journal of Language and Literature Studies
Vol. 5 No. 4 (2025): December

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in Tamim Al-Barghouti’s Nafsi Al-Fida’: A Sociological Study of Literature

Naviza, Ummu Kultsum (Unknown)
Zawawi, Moh. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Dec 2025

Abstract

The prolonged conflict between Palestine and Israel, particularly in the Gaza Strip, has caused widespread humanitarian suffering and has become a recurring theme in contemporary Arabic literature. One prominent example is Tamim Al-Barghouti's poem Nafsi al-Fida', written in response to Israel's military aggression against Gaza in 2008-2009 (Operation Cast Lead). This study aims to explore how the poem represents the social reality of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through a sociological approach to literature. Employing a qualitative descriptive method, the research combines textual analysis of the poem with triangulated sources from international media reports and humanitarian organization documents to ensure data validity. Using Alan Swingewood’s theory of literary sociology, the study interprets the poem as a social product that both reflects and critiques the lived experiences of society under conflict. The analysis reveals that Al-Barghouti’s use of vivid imagery, metaphors of resistance, and contrasts between life and death encapsulates the political and humanitarian dimensions of Gaza’s suffering, depicting Hamas’ political victory, armed resistance, underground defense strategies, white phosphorus bombings, and the devastation of civilian life. These aesthetic choices transform the poem into both an artistic and sociological document, bridging emotion with historical testimony. The findings conclude that Nafsi al-Fida’ not only serves as a record of Palestinian suffering but also contributes to shaping Palestinian literary identity and political discourse by asserting poetry as a form of cultural resistance.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jolls

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

Journal of Language and Literature Studies is an open access journal which provides perspectives of languages, language teaching, and literature studies. This journal has the Focus and Scope at presenting and discussing outstanding contemporary issues in line with Applied Linguistics, English ...