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Title: THE AUTHOR AS COMPRADOR INELLECTUAL: A POSTCOLONIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEURSAULT INVESTIGATION BY KAMEL DAOUD
Authors: Mohsin Raza
Journal: Critical Review of Social Sciences and Humanities (CRSSH)
Publisher: Government Post Graduate College
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
Language: English
Keywords: The Meursault InvestigationKamel DaoudComprador intellectua
The present research aims to analyze Kamel Daoud’s The Meursault Investigation from postcolonial perspective in the light of Dabashi’s theory of comprador intellectual from colonial perspective. This theoretical concept was presented by Iranian theorist Hamid Dabashi in his book Brown Skin, White Masks in 2011. This study examines Daoud’s compradorial approach in the light of this theory. Under this theoretical perspective, all those writers are comprador intellectuals who visualize their native land from European perspective. Under colonial impression, they present their own cultural values in such a degrading way that they fulfill the purpose of their colonial masters. Their ideological sympathies are always attached with the white man. They consider it essential to have connection with the imperial forces for their bright future. But they do so at the cost of their own culture and people. Kamel Daoud serves the purpose of his colonial masters by presenting dismal picture of Islam. He disowns his own native culture through negative portrayal of Algerian society. He does not give balanced picture of Algeria and describes only one-sided view of his native land. He ignores all the positive aspects of his dwelling place and keeps focus only on its negative elements. He always finds fault with his native land and its people. Along with it, he ridicules the established values of Islam and tries to distort its image by challenging its basic doctrine. This abdication of Islam and Algerian society in his work under study shows author’s compradorial approach. The present research contends that Daoud visualizes his native land and religion from the Western perspective. He writes in a way, the white man wants him to write. His literary outcome ultimately supports colonial agenda in one way or the other. It signifies that the roots in his native land and culture are mere skin deep. He is native in color and blood but European in thinking and ideology. His intellect always stands aligned with European interests. This shows that the author uses his mental faculties to please his colonial masters and supports white man’s standpoint through his intermediary access. He hurts the feelings of Muslims and creates doubts about Islam in readers’ minds through negative depiction of Algeria and Islam. This study imparts enlightenment in general masses to be aware of the dynamic of authors like Daoud who work for the interest of their colonial masters in their native guise. They make more harm than good to their native land and religion due to their compradorial approach.
To analyze Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation" from a postcolonial perspective, applying Hamid Dabashi's theory of the comprador intellectual, and to examine the author's compradorial approach in relation to his portrayal of Algerian society and Islam.
Postcolonial analysis of Kamel Daoud's novel "The Meursault Investigation" through the lens of Hamid Dabashi's theory of the comprador intellectual. The study employs explanatory thematic analysis of the text.
graph TD
A["Analyze Kamel Daoud's 'The Meursault Investigation'"] --> B["Apply Dabashi's Comprador Intellectual Theory"];
B --> C["Examine Portrayal of Algerian Society"];
B --> D["Examine Portrayal of Islam"];
C --> E["Identify Negative Depictions and Criticisms"];
D --> F["Identify Atheistic and Blasphemous Views"];
E --> G["Analyze Implied Motives"];
F --> G;
G --> H["Formulate Findings and Conclusion"];
The study argues that Daoud, through his protagonist Harun, criticizes and belittles Algerian society, its women, youth, and cities, comparing them to negative entities. He also ridicules Islamic values, doctrines, and practices, questioning the existence of God and the afterlife. This negative depiction, the author contends, aligns with colonial interests and demonstrates Daoud's compradorial nature, where he is "native in color and blood but European in thinking and ideology."
Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation" exhibits a compradorial approach, characterized by a negative and denigrating portrayal of Algerian society and Islam. The author's protagonist, Harun, serves as a mouthpiece for these views, reflecting a Westernized mentality and a detachment from his native culture and religion. This approach is seen as serving the agenda of colonial masters.
Kamel Daoud is identified as a comprador intellectual whose work "The Meursault Investigation" falsifies the image of Islam and Algerian society by analyzing them through a Eurocentric lens. His negative portrayal serves to please colonial masters and further imperialist agendas, ultimately harming his native culture and religion.
1. Author's Theory: Hamid Dabashi's theory of the comprador intellectual was presented in his book "Brown Skin, White Masks" in 2011. (Confirmed by text)
2. Camus' Novel: Albert Camus' novel "The Stranger" was published in 1946. (Confirmed by text)
3. Daoud's Novel: Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation" is a retelling of Camus' "The Stranger." (Confirmed by text)
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