Beyond the last twilight: An annotated translation of Barghuthi's autobiography 'al-D&dotbelow;aw' al -Azraq' ('The Blue Light')

Hussein al-Barghuthi (1954--2001) was a giant literary figure in the modern Palestinian cultural scene. He was a controversial writer and his works include critique, poetry, fiction, plays, screenwriting, and lyrics. Much of his writing, beyond literary and cultural criticism, is inspired by his passionate advocacy for the Palestinian cause. On the verge of 1997, the most tragic chapter in Barghuthi's life had emerged with the discovery that he was infected by lymphoma. Under the sway of cancer, Barghuthi wrote a very touching narrative of his enigmatic intellectual and spiritual experiences in a novelized autobiography entitled al-D&dotbelow;aw' al-Azraq.;With passion and bitterness, Barghuthi reveals his innermost feelings while facing the inevitable death brought to him by cancer. The work translated here depicts the narrative of a sophisticated Palestinian Marxist intellectual and literary figure who ended up as Sufi neophyte seeking his own truth, through gnosis, while studying in the United States. Barghuthi's autobiography is not just intriguing, but also reflects a deep sense of multiculturalism, spirituality, and intellectual diversity. This dissertation is presented in the following chapters: (1) al-D&dotbelow;aw' al-Azraq: The Work and the Author: provides a historical background about the motive and the literary context of the autobiography; a brief storyline that sketches out the plot and the major events; and a biography of the author to aid in understanding the significance of his autobiography. (2) Hussein al-Barghuthi's Works: Review of the Literature: provides a critical review of Barghuthi's works---both the published and the unpublished---in the fields of criticism, poetry, fiction and autobiography, theater, screenwriting, and lyrics. It mirrors, as well, the impact of Barghuthi on Palestinian poetry, as well as his role in the emergence of the mid-1990 new breed of Palestinian poets. (3) al-D&dotbelow;aw' al-Azraq by Hussein al-Barghuthi: The Translation: provides a full annotated translation of al-D&dotbelow;aw' al-Azraq (The Blue Light). (4) Concluding Remarks: provides critical insights and approaches to read the novelized autobiography of al-D&dotbelow;aw' al-Azraq. This brief chapter addresses, in particular, Barghuthi's character as the protagonist narrator, who strives not to betray his collective identity while attempting to realize his individual one.