A Critical Approach to Deleuzian Rhizomatic Writing: A Reading of Ali Badr’s The Tobacco Keeper

Authors
Raja Abuali
Hamid Reza Mirhaji
Maedeh Zohriarab
Allameh Tabatabai University
Abstract
This study aims to examine the postmodern thought of Gilles Deleuze, who is considered a pioneer of creative thinking. Deleuze sought to cast a new light on thought and knowledge through change and transformation rather than stasis and imitation. The most significant feature of his intellectual and philosophical outlook is his attention to continuous transformation and the rejection of logic and absolute rational determinism. Thus, by exploring Deleuze’s intellectual horizons, valuable insights can be gained from his concepts and theories. Moreover, Gilles Deleuze believed that language is not merely a means of communication but extends beyond it. Accordingly, a deeper and broader understanding of language can be attained through this research. Deleuze’s rhizomatic approach refers to the disruption of cohesive systems and structures, and rhizomatics lies at the core of Deleuze’s thought. Rhizomatics is considered one of the postmodern theories; therefore, substantiating this theory and applying it to a literary work is a significant undertaking, just as rhizomatics creates an opportunity to analyze postmodern literature or narrative from a new perspective—a point that underscores the importance of this research. In this context, the works of Iraqi writer Ali Badr emerge as an exemplar of such writing, and we aim to examine the rhizomatic theory within the narrative text of the novel Hāris al-Tibgh in order to present a postmodern perspective on the Arabic narrative based on Deleuze’s rhizomatics. Through this research, we have also concluded that rhizomatics is manifested in the novel Hāris al-Tibgh across axes such as multiplicity and difference, rhizomatic connection and heterogeneity, signifying rupture, and other principles of rhizomatic writing.
Keywords
Arabic narrative
Rhizomatics
Deleuze
Harass Altabacco
Ali Badr
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