The hidden faces in Laila and the Wolf, by Emily Nasrallah
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2446-5240.malala.2025.240724Keywords:
Arabic literature, lebanese literature, Emily Nasrallah, Laila and the WolfAbstract
Emily Nasrallah was a prominent Lebanese writer, known for her ability to depict social and cultural issues in Lebanon. Her writing style is characterized by simple language, yet rich in metaphors and symbolism, exploring deep emotions and themes such as the struggles of women, village life, war, and the search for identity. In her short story Laila and the Wolf”, from the anthology Gypsy Nights (1998), Nasrallah reimagines the famous "Little Red Riding Hood" tale by Perrault, using the wolf as a metaphor for the challenges and dangers faced by the protagonist in a patriarchal society. Through this allegory, the author addresses themes such as lost innocence, resistance against oppressive norms, and the fight for female autonomy. The story reveals Nasrallah's talent for transforming traditional tales into reflections on social tensions, the complexities of human experience, and the sociopolitical context.
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