The Elements of Nostalgia in Arab Migrant Literature: An Analysis

Abstract

Mahjar (Arab-American) literature occupies a prominent position in the development of modern Arabic South America during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Among its defining characteristics, nostalgia serves as a dominant literary and philosophical theme, reflecting the emotional, cultural, and psychological consequences of migration, exile, and displacement. This study investigates the representation of nostalgia in the selected literary works of four eminent Mahjar writers—Kahlil Gibran, Ameen Rihani, Elia Abu Madi, and Mikhail Naimy. Employing a qualitative research design and textual analytical approach, the study critically examines how these writers transformed personal experiences of exile into enduring literary expressions of identity, cultural memory, spirituality, and belonging. The findings reveal that nostalgia in Mahjar literature extends beyond a sentimental longing for the homeland to function as a dynamic literary framework through which issues of identity, cultural continuity, and intercultural dialogue are explored. Although each writer presents a distinct philosophical and literary perspective, they collectively portray nostalgia as a creative force that preserves Arab cultural heritage while fostering universal human values and strengthening intellectual dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that Mahjar writers made a significant contribution to the modernization of Arabic literature by introducing innovative literary forms, philosophical reflection, and humanistic ideals. By offering a comparative analysis of four major Mahjar writers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of nostalgia as the intellectual and emotional foundation of Mahjar literature and underscores its continuing relevance in contemporary debates on migration, diaspora, identity, and cultural memory.