The Dynamics of Hybridity in Diana Abu Jaber's The Language of Baklava and Life Without a Recipe

Abstract

This study explores the portrayal of hybridity in Diana Abu Jaber's two memoirs, The Language of Baklava (2005) and Life without a Recipe (2016).  Many researchers have dealt with the cultural issues that are portrayed in Diana Abu Jaber's novels, especially Crescent (2003) and Arabian Jazz (1993).  This study is distinguished from previous studies by focusing on the cultural aspects that are portrayed in Abu Jaber's two memoirs.  The main concern of this study is to shed light on Diana Abu Jaber's contributions to the exploration of the concept of hybridity in her memoirs from many aspects, such as the hybridity of identity and culture.  Furthermore, it highlights the basic differences between the memoirs in portraying the influences of the mixed culture and identity in Diana Abu Jaber's life.  On the other hand, this study tries to explore the influences of mixed parentage of the writer on her writing of the two novels and her depiction of hybridity in identity, culture and language.  Her American mother and her Jordanian father are the main motivation for Abu Jaber to focus on the mixture between Arab- American cultures in her writing.