Nonviolent Modes of Resistance in Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin and Against the Loveless World

The paper explores the theme of non-violent resistance in two powerful novels by the American-Palestinian writer, Susan Abulhawa: Mornings in Jenin (2010) and Against the Loveless World (2020). Both novels provide poignant narratives of Palestinian women navigating the complexities of life under occupation, and their journeys reveal various forms of non-violent resistance as a response to oppression and adversity. In Mornings in Jenin, the characters' resilience is showcased through acts of cultural preservation, cultural expression, and the “ethic of love”. Despite enduring the harsh realities of displacement, the protagonist Amal and her family cling to their Palestinian identity and heritage as a form of non-violent resistance. Additionally, the novel portrays the power of storytelling and memory in preserving the Palestinian narrative, thus countering the erasure of their history. Similarly, Against the Loveless World delves into the life of Nahr, a Palestinian woman whose journey from refugee camps to prison is marked by several forms of resistance to oppression. Nahr's resistance is manifested in recreating and rediscovering the self, celebrating traditions, finding genuine love, and teaching resistance to others. Both novels emphasize the importance of women's voices and agency in the Palestinian struggle, highlighting the role of women as key agents of change and resilience. The paper draws from the works of Edward Said, Ghassan Kanafani, Gramsci, Michel de Certeau, Stuart Hall, Bell Hook among others.