ELL1013F L1 - One Thousand and One Nights

Course Information

• Course Title: ELL1013F: The One Thousand and One Nights (Alf Layla wa-Layla)

• Instructor: Dr. Hassana Moosa

• Contact Email: hassana.moosa@uct.ac.za

• Room: AC Jordan 124

Trigger Warning

• The text contains themes of:

  • Gender Based Violence

  • Gender Discrimination

  • Ableism

  • Graphic descriptions of violence and sex

Lecture Overview

Lecture 1 - Introduction to Alf Layla wa Layla

• Topics Covered:

  • Overview of Alf Layla wa Layla

  • Origins of the tales

  • Evolution of the collection

  • Influence and Afterlife in English literature

• Questions to Consider:

  • How does the context and literary history shape our understanding of the stories?

  • Why is studying Alf Layla wa Layla important?

Overview of The Thousand and One Nights

General Characteristics

• Nature of the Collection:

  • Composite and endless collection of short stories.

  • Genres include:

    • Mystery

    • Romance

    • Horror

    • Morality narratives

    • Comedy

    • Drama

  • Often classified under: Magical Realism.

• Historical Context:

  • Pre-modern origins (before 1750).

  • Later known adaptations termed as Arabian Nights.

Authorship and Structure

• Authorless Collection:

  • Cannot be traced to a single author.

  • Regarded as World Literature rather than strictly Arab Literature.

• Framing Narrative:

  • Central character: Shahrazad (daughter of a Vizier) tells stories to King Shahriyar to avoid death.

  • Stories are conveyed through her sister, Dunyazad/Dunirzad.

Origins of The Thousand and One Nights

Cultural Sources

• Indian and Persian Roots:

  • Tales originate from Indian and Persian sources.

  • Characters King Shahriyar and Shahzaman belong to the Sassanian Dynasty (7th century).

• Literary Influences:

  • Possible links to Persian Hazar/Hezār Afsaneh (A Thousand Stories).

  • Use of a framing narrative in Indian storytelling traditions.

• Historical Accounts:

  • Recorded translations and stories appearing in the 8th and 9th centuries (Al-Masudi).

Evolution of The Collection

Development in the Muslim World

• Transmission and Adaptation:

  • Stories were reworked in Arabic storytelling culture during various historical periods (Abbasid Empire, etc.).

  • Incorporated elements from Greek, Coptic, North African, and Hebrew traditions.

• Circulation:

  • Stories were shared both orally and in textual formats and were popular among diverse social classes.

• Formal Recognition:

  • By the 12th century, a formalised version circulated in Egypt.

European Influence

• 14th-century Receptions:

  • Influence on works like Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron and Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.

• Translation and Adaptation:

  • Antoine Galland translates and publishes Les Mille et Une Nuits (1704-12), including stories like Aladdin and Ali Baba.

• Cultural Interpretation:

  • Galland’s versions reflect Eurocentric views and often added 'happy endings' absent in original tales.

Modern Translations and Interpretations

• 18th/19th Century:

  • Numerous translations, including Jonathan Scott’s early English version.

• Orientalist Perspectives:

  • Edward Lane and Richard Burton incorporated their cultural perspectives, affecting the narrative's portrayal.

Influence and Afterlife

Impact on Literature

• Modern Literature:

  • Influenced genres as varied as realism, romanticism, and gothic literature.

• Political and Cultural Commentary:

  • In the 20th century, narratives often critiqued political situations in Islamicate societies.

Recent Adaptations

• Prominent adaptations by writers from the Global South, such as:

  • Hanan Al-Shaykh (2011)

  • Yasmin Seale (2021)

  • Ismail Mahomed and Jade Bowers (2023)

• Modern writers leverage the collection for themes relating to the power of women's voices in storytelling.

Version for Study

• Current Recommended Version:

  • Hanan Al-Shakykh’s adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights available for download and borrowing.