La visión del mundo árabe en la narrativa de Juan Goytisolo

Abstract

Goytisolo is a key figure in 20th century spanish literature. He exhibits a sound knowledge of the Arabs and their culture. Arabs, whose lives seem to be less worthy than other peoples, are contemplated through a long series of stereotypes. Goytisolo defends the wave of violence which led the Arab world to be accused of all the evil. He reminds western countries of some of the cruellest episodes in human history. He goes on to suggest that some views on Islam are wrong, since they depart from ideas and values which are inherently western and cannot be easily translated anywhere else. The simple message of Islamic beliefs makes it easy to understand the strong bonds among Muslims and the spread of the cult thoughout fourteen centuries. The great Yihad means to Muslim believers an inner struggle against their own selfishness. It is a wish to change the world.