Criticism of Criticism in the Book of Systematic Criticism of the Arabs by Mohammed Mandour: Presentation and Analysis

Abstract

This study examines Mandour's book, Systematic Criticism of the Arabs (1st edition, 1943), through the lens of critical analysis itself, as it represents a self-contained critical entity within traditional critical discourse. It follows a structured format comprising an introduction, a preface, and three sections. The first section explores the book’s significance, its methodology, and its accomplishments. The second section delves into the author's critique of traditional critical texts, noting and documenting observations regarding them. In the third section, the study unveils the reader's starting points and concepts of reading by examining the book's perspectives on various aspects, including literature and criticism, critical approaches, procedural terminology, the relationship with the Other (Greece-West), and the foundations of criticism. The study concludes with the following findings: The author's systematic awareness is evident through their insightful vision, comprehensive understanding, meticulous classification, and the presence of an expert persona. The approach taken in the book is not detached from the nature of Arabic criticism and literature; rather, it aligns harmoniously and responds to their inherent characteristics. The treatment of the subject matter does not solely rely on a historical approach; instead, the curriculum benefits from the historical method while directly engaging with critical texts.