The Representation of Mimicry in the Short Story Al-Maliku an-Najar by Kamel Kaylani: A Postcolonial Study

Rohazi, Moh. Arif and Surur, Misbahus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9370-5004 (2025) The Representation of Mimicry in the Short Story Al-Maliku an-Najar by Kamel Kaylani: A Postcolonial Study. Buletin Al-Turas, 31 (2). pp. 185-198. ISSN 0853-1692; 2579-5848

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Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to reveal how mimicry, as a strategy of imitating colonial culture, is reflected in the short story Al-Maliku an-Najjār by Kamel Kaylani, particularly in four main aspects: knowledge, livelihood, worldview, and lifestyle.

Method

This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection conducted through literature review and text analysis. The data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman method, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The corpus of this study is the short story Al-Maliku an-Najjār by Kamel Kaylani, based on the edition published by the Hindawi Foundation in 2013. This article adopts one of the postcolonial concepts introduced by Homi K. Bhabha, namely mimicry.

Results/Findings

The findings of this study indicate that in the aspect of knowledge, the main character, Batrus, imitates Western scientific methods and ways of thinking to acquire technical skills in shipbuilding. In terms of livelihood, Batrus disguises himself as an ordinary worker and adopts the work ethic typical of the working class. Regarding worldview, a dilemma emerges between colonial modernity and indigenous cultural identity. Meanwhile, in terms of lifestyle, Batrus adapts to the habits of the working class as a form of social adaptation.

Conclusion

Mimicry in Al-Maliku an-Najjār is not merely passive imitation but a complex adaptation strategy that creates space for new identities. While it reflects colonial dominance, mimicry also provides an opportunity for the colonized subject to engage in subtle cultural resistance.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Mimicry, postcolonial, Kamel Kaylani, Al-Maliku an-Najjār
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies > 200211 Postcolonial Studies 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2005 Literary Studies > 200523 Middle Eastern Literature 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2005 Literary Studies > 200527 Arabic Literature (al-Adab al-‘Arabī) > 20052706 Naqd al-Adab (Arabic Literary Criticism) - al-Natsr (Prose, Novel)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of Arabic Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Misbahus Surur
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2026 14:43

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