A stylistic analysis of arab-american poetry: Mahjar (place of emigration) poetry

Abstract

The present paper represents an attempt to focus upon analyzing and describing the major features of Arab American poetry written by prominent Arab poets who had arrived in America on behalf of millions of immigrants during the 19th century. Some of who wrote in English and Arabic like Ameen Rihani (1876-1940); Khalil Gibran (1883-1931) and Mikhail Naimy (1889-1988). Others wrote in Arabic like Elia Abumadi (1890-1957). Most of their poems in Mahjar (place of emigration) reveal nostalgia, their love to their countries and their ancestors and issues relating to Arab countries. The paper analyzes some of their poems based on linguistic, grammatical, lexical and rhetorical levels.