Manifestations of National and Pan-Arab Poetry in the Works of Ghazi Al-Qusaibi and Abdullah Al Dawood: A Thematic Study

Abstract

This study offers a comparative thematic reading of national and pan-Arab poetry in the works of Ghazi Al-Qusaibi and Abdullah Al Dawood, focusing on the shared visions and thematic structures that shape their discourse of belonging and national identity. Organized into three main sections addressing the formation of the national poem, the local homeland, and the broader Arab homeland, the research examines how both poets articulated concepts of al watan ‘homeland’ through emotional, political, and cultural perspectives. The findings demonstrate that the homeland, in its local and pan-Arab dimensions, occupies a central position in the poetic experiences of both writers. Similar influences shaped their poetry, including social upbringing, political circumstances, extensive travel, and strong religious and cultural consciousness. Both poets expressed national concerns through intertwined feelings of pride and sorrow, often rooted in experiences of loss and difficult personal circumstances. Despite these similarities, the study identifies important differences in orientation: Al-Qusaibi approached national poetry through a more political lens, whereas Al Dawood emphasized direct moral and religious values. The analysis further reveals that both poets maintained a strong attachment to the memory of the first village as a symbolic foundation for loyalty to the larger homeland, expressed through emotionally intense yet ethically driven poetic discourse.