Political Analysis of Arabian Nights - Research Paper Example

Arabian Nights Arabian Nights is a collection of stories, both long and short that have had a great impact on the literary world, than any other piece of published work. Despite the Arabian Nights being a collection of Arabic stories, it has influenced the global platform in several aspects. The influence of this literature is felt in the economic, cultural and political developments of the 18th and the 19th century (Irwin, 246). Little was known about this collection of stories until 1706, when the first version of English translation was released. This version aroused a great interest in this piece of literature, paving the way for the release of many other translated versions. Most significant is the fact that Arabian Nights had a greater literary impact in Europe and the USA than it had back in the Arabic countries where it emerged (Yamanaka, 74). Starting with the story of a famous king and his wife, the stories have been integrated to fit in the context of a story teller who had to tell the king different stories for 1001 nights, just to save his daughter from the wrath of the king (Irwin, 250). Thus, the initial story of this collection sets a political stage, which is later enjoined with cultural, love, religious and superstitious themes. Therefore, this study focuses on the political analysis of Arabian Nights, where the political influence of this book in the global platform is assessed. The political analysis of this collection is undertaken with a focus on its political impact to the Arabic countries as well as Europe and America. The political theme sparks off with an ancient Persian king who discovered that his brother’s wife was practicing infidelity. He embarked on investigating the case, only to discover that his own wife was cheating on him too (Yamanaka, 110). This discovery makes the king angry and resentful against all women, prompting him to execute many, starting with his unfaithful wife (Irwin, 248). After that incident, the king embarks on a mission to execute the virgins in his territory, after spending a night with each. This is a story of political supremacy of a king, who has the powers to execute his subjects at will. In fact, it emerges that the king could not be restrained from his mission until he had executed all the virgin women in his territory (Yamanaka, 120). It is only the wisdom of his aide that managed to overcome this unusual ambition, by trying all means to ensure the king did not execute his daughter, who had offered herself to the king. This becomes the basis of the Arabian Nights, where the aide tells the king stories that create curiosity, which made the king to postpone his decision to execute the girl. The stories continue for a thousand days, eventually making the king pardon the girl and take her as his wife (Irwin, 251). Therefore, the collection depicts the political situation of the ancient systems of governance, where the king had the absolute powers over his subjects. Nevertheless, there is more to the political alignment of this collection of stories, than its presentation of the cruelty of ancient systems of governance. This piece of literature had political impacts beyond the boundaries where it was compiled. The Arabian Nights had the influence of enlightening people from outside the Arab world, on the Arabic cultures, value systems, political orientation and economic practices. This promoted the interest of many people from Europe and America to travel and visit the Middle East, Asia and North Africa (McCauliff, 13). This interest saw many people travel to visit the Arabic countries, where they interacted with the Arabs socially and economically. This was the beginning of a cultural and economic exchange between the North America and Europe on one hand and the Middle East and Asia on the other (Yamanaka, 185). The form of interaction raised political exchanges, where some aspects of the Arabic forms of government were borrowed and integrated into the western governance system. Additionally, major criticisms arose from the interactions, where the Arabs resented some western values and behaviors, and vice versa. This served to arouse some tension between the Arabs and the western countries, with the impact being felt until today (Irwin, 255). Therefore, the interaction between these two cultures, which was promoted by Arabian Nights, created a system of conflicting political systems. These conflicting systems have shaped the nature of relationship between the western and the Arabic countries. Although there are many other factors that have shaped the current political situation in the world, Arabian Nights had a significant influence, since it promoted the interest for the cultural, economic and political interactions (McCauliff, 25). The impact of this collection of stories was mainly felt in literature and journalism. The impact was felt more in America than in Europe. Therefore, the Arabian Nights gained popularity in the 18th and 19th century, since it presented a brand of literature that was different from the western literature (Yamanaka, 90). With the growing interest in the literature presented by this collection of stories, there arose an interest in the cultures and ways of life of the Asians and the Arabs. The stories found in this collection mainly depict the themes of affluence, leisure and contentment (Irwin, 247). These themes have influenced the way of thinking of many western people, who work to achieve affluence and contentment, while upholding leisure and comfort. Therefore, the themes portrayed in the Arabian Nights have informed the ways of life of the western society. Notably, these themes have influenced the American dream, prompting many people to measure their achievement s in terms of acquiring these elements (McCauliff, 37). No wonder therefore that in the ancient American culture, many artefacts from the eastern world were used to portray beauty and creativity at the expense of racist generalizations (Yamanaka, 132). This is a clear indication that the Arabian Nights had influenced the American culture positively. This positive influence has had the impact of shaping the American political system towards capitalism, where affluence and contentment are the major drives (Irwin, 256). Thus, the political orientation of America towards capitalism has borrowed some aspects from this collection of stories. Finally, the political analysis of the Arabian Nights shows how religion, an aspect that is the core of many stories in the collection, has played a great role in influencing the political systems of countries. Religious differences have always triggered conflict between the Christian and the Muslim nations (Yamanaka, 85). This conflict can be traced back to the collection of stories, which introduced the element of religious differences. The interest created by the Arabian Nights regarding Arab culture and lifestyles arouse interest for many people from the western nations to take voyages to Middle East and Asia in the early 18th century (McCauliff, 19). The visit led to an interaction between the eastern and the western cultures, which had a major difference in religious beliefs and practices. This acted as the major aspect that triggered differences and disagreements between these cultures. Consequently, a religious difference sparked other disagreements, with each culture perceiving their orientation as being right and superior (Irwin, 253). This formed a substantial contest of religious supremacy, which had to entail political contest as well. Thus, the differences in religion, informed by the collection of stories in Arabian Nights, have shaped the current world political situation. The differences in religious and cultural orientation, which was highly informed by the collection of stories created a form of religious animosity and consequent wars (McCauliff, 40). This is the foundation of terrorism, where terrorists aim at attacking the interest of other people who have a different religious orientation and belief system. Therefore, Arabian Nights is a collection of stories, with a literature that has influenced the political situation of the world. Works Cited Irwin, Robert. “Political Thought in The Thousand and One Nights". Marvels & Tales 18.2 (2004): 246-257. Print. McCauliff, Kristen.” How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790–1935.” Rhetoric & Public Affairs 13.4 (2010): 12-43. Print. Yamanaka, Yuriko. The Arabian Nights and Orientalism: Perspectives from East & West. London: Tauris, 2006. 65-202. Print. Read More