Feminist Struggles and Identity in Rowaida Al-Haj’s Then You Turned to the Shade: A Thematic and Artistic Study

Abstract

This study aims to examine the manifestations of conflict in feminist poetry through the Diwan Then I Turned to the Shade by the Sudanese poet Rawda Al-Haj, adopting a thematic and artistic approach that reveals the semantic and aesthetic structures of the poetic texts. The study traces the manifestations of conflict in both its external dimension—represented by confrontation with society and patriarchal authority—and its internal dimension, which reflects the self’s struggle with its constraints and aspirations. It also elucidates how language, symbolism, and myth contribute to shaping a distinctive feminine vision. Furthermore, the study focuses on the artistic structure of the poems, including rhythm and imagery, which enhances the intensity and depth of the poetic experience. The study concludes that Then I Turned to the Shade constitutes a poetic discourse imbued with feminist awareness of national and social issues, seeking to affirm women’s presence within the sphere of conflict, rejecting the marginalization of their role, and rearticulating their relationship with the Other through a rich poetic language charged with emotional tension. Accordingly, the Diwan sheds light on a significant aspect of the development of contemporary Arab feminist poetry and provides women with a creative space to articulate their identity and struggles within a refined artistic context.