Negotiating Borders: Cultural Communication in Abu-Jaber`s Literary Works

Abstract

Diana Abu-Jaber is one of the prominent Arab American women writers. The article aims at discu ssing the literary works of Diana Abu Jaber that focus on the theme of border crossingand establishing cultural dialoguebetween different ethnic groups. In writing novels, Abu-Jaber is curious to write about Arab American life and about characters that belong to the Arab world, mainly fromPalestine,Jordan,and Iraq. In her novel, Arabian JazzAbu-Jaber explores a thornyscene of interconnecting cultural norms and addresses issues that have long been socially unacceptable in both the United Statesand Arab community. She exposes us all with the racial prejudice, detestable depredation, gender violence, and adultery, all put into the context of migrantsfamilysearch to maintain their identity in New York City. Using numerous narratives and constantly trying to bridge the gap betweenthepast and present, the literary work of Abu-Jaber offers a robust substance criticism ofAmerica while somehow invoking a critical eye on chauvinistic relics of the past Arab world. The researcher used the descriptive and analytical approach inanalyzingAbu-Jaber’s Arabian Jazzand Crescent.The researcherhighlightedthe love story of aJordanian American widower who faces difficulties related to the differences in cultures and crossing borders. In a wittyway, Abu-Jaber expresseshercuriosity about presenting themes that highlight the experience of the immigrant people from the Arab world.She is keen to highlightthe feeling they undergo livingin exile,and their inability to lead a stable life.The article highlightedthe experiences that Arab American women have to face in exile whether mentally or physically. These women, who are all looking for an interconnected hyphenated identity, cross cultures, resist double clashes and acknowledge that any area is linked to gender, ethnicity, and political situations.