The Dialectic of Place and Space in the Short Story Collection: "Fathers are Running" by Linda Husein

This research examines selected stories from the first part of Linda Husein's short story collection, “Fathers are Running”, titled “Almost Everything Is Fine”. It applies the new historicism approach within the framework of cultural studies, focusing on the portrayal of place and narrative space. The analysis establishes connections between these literary elements and the changes and developments experienced by the characters. To achieve this, the study draws upon narrative theories, such as Seymour Chatman's theory of narrative discourse, as well as the perspectives of Franco Moretti and Joseph McLaughlin regarding the depiction of literary texts in relation to place and space during specific historical periods. This discussion aims to shed light on the cultural ideas conveyed through these places and spaces, contributing to the understanding of the geography of literature. Additionally, Gaston Bachelard's theory on the poetics of spaces and their influence on individuals' lives is employed to enrich the analysis. The research considers these stories as unique creative works in terms of their form and content, exploring the profound idea of how individuals adapt to places marked by social and political challenges.