WORLD LITERATURE AND CINEMA: SAUDI LITERATURE AS AN EXAMPLE

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Saudi novels and how they relate to world literature. Also highlighted is the history of cinema in Saudi Arabia. This paper mainly spotlights The Green Bicycle by Haifaa Al-Mansour and her film Wadjda. Many Saudi novels have succeeded in the global market. Al-Mansour’s novel depicts life in Saudi society, especially the life of women and their attempts to gain rights despite the conservative religious authority of that time period. The paper considers the importance of translating Saudi novels into different languages. The translation of the novel The Green Bicycle into English is a profound example of that importance. The Green Bicycle and Wadjda discuss problems women in Saudi Arabia encounter, like driving cars and the inability for a woman to travel alone. Al- Mansours portrays the challenges that an ambitious Saudi girl confronts to reach her goals. This thesis investigates the elements of success that enabled the novel to become a worldwide literary work. It also highlights the role of the cinema in the success of the novel as depicted in Al-Mansour’s film. The movie was filmed completely on the streets of Riyadh; it achieved success around the world as it won awards from many countries.