Transformation of Persona in Yussef El Guindi’s Back of the Throat (2006), Such a Beautiful Voice is Sayeda’s (2006), Karima’s City (2006) and Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes (2008): A Study of Metatheatricality

Abstract

Abstract This thesis examines transformation of persona through employing different metatheatrical techniques in four of Yussef El Guindi’s plays: Back of the Throat (2006), Such a Beautiful Voice is Sayeda’s (2006), Karima’s City (2006) and Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes (2008). As an Arab American playwright, El Guindi examines the transformation of persona of Arab American characters by employing Hornby’s metatheatrical devices, mainly play within the play, role playing within the role and ceremony within the play. The introduction highlights different definitions of the term transformation; as an abrupt taking on and dropping off different roles in order to quote a new persona. The term ‘persona’ is introduced through the Jungian perspective. The theme of transformation of persona intertwines with the different techniques of metatheatricality that is elaborated extensively. Chapter one analyses Back of the Throat (2006), a one act play that explores an abrupt visit of two FBI agents to an Arab American writer, Khaled after 9/11 attacks. Through the play, Khaled undergoes different stages of transformation through various metatheatrical techniques. Chapter two tackles two one-act plays Such a Beautiful Voice is Sayeda’s and Karima’s City. In Such a Beautiful Voice is Sayeda’s, Sayeda is a voiceless housewife empowered by El Guindi to gain her voice back and to express herself, while in Karima’s City, Karima, the protagonist tends to cut off her tongue to achieve her transformation, and to