Abdel Fattah Ahmed Yousef Unveils 'The Poetics of Ideas and the Becoming of Lights'

The book “The Poetics of Ideas and the Becoming of Lights” by Dr. Abdul Fattah Ahmed Youssef, Professor of Literature and Modern Critical Studies at the Faculty of Arts, University of Bahrain, has been published. The book carries a subtitle that poses a broad question about the nature of poetry and literary ideas and their role in shaping the structure of society: “Literary Ideas: Cultural Accumulations or Epistemic Metaphors?” It was recently released by Dar Al-Rawafid Al-Thaqafya (The Cultural Tributaries Publishing House) in Beirut.

The book traces the trajectory of Arab poetics from its earliest documented beginnings in literary studies, starting with the poetry of the period commonly known as the “Jahiliyya” (Pre-Islamic era). It examines famous examples from the poets of the Mu’allaqat, including Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma, Imru’ al-Qays, ‘Antara ibn Shaddad, Al-Muhallaha (or ‘Adi ibn Rabia, known as Al-Zir Salim).

This approach is grounded in a methodological vision and an epistemic framework that traces the post-structuralist trajectory in the treatment and presentation of ideas within a creative context.