دور المرأة في القصة العربية المعاصرة: ليلى العثمان أنموذجا

Abstract

The role of women in Arabic literature has been pivotal, marked by their active participation across diverse literary genres throughout history. From ancient times, women have made remarkable contributions not only in poetry but also in other forms such as storytelling and intellectual discourse. In the pre-Islamic era, figures like Safiyyah al-Bahiliyya, Hind bint Utbah and Barra bint Abdul Muttalib emerged as distinguished poets. Beyond poetry, women contributed significantly to storytelling, and in the early Islamic era, notable figures such as Aisha bint Abi Bakr played a critical role in the transmission of Islamic knowledge and culture.

In the modern era, women's roles have flourished, particularly in the field of fiction. Women have made invaluable contributions to the development of modern Arabic fiction, establishing themselves as key figures in contemporary literature. They have become integral to the thematic and aesthetic foundations of fiction, addressing diverse issues and experiences. In Kuwaiti literature, women have played a transformative role, both as writers and as central themes in novels and short stories.

This article focuses on the contributions of Kuwaiti women writers, with particular emphasis on Laila al-Othman, a renowned fiction writer whose novels and short stories have significantly shaped the literary landscape. The study examines women's impact both as creators and as subjects within narrative structures, exploring the diverse roles of female characters in Laila al-Othman’s works and their broader implications for contemporary Arabic fiction.