The Critical unction of the Theme in Migration Novels Awlad al-Ghetto: Esmi Adam by Elias Khoury and Nocturnal Harmony from The Wood Orchestra by Reza Ghasemi

The phenomenon of migration has been one of the most significant human experiences for centuries. However, contemporary attitudes toward migration have evolved, reflecting changes in the human condition. This evolution has introduced various dimensions of meaning, particularly in the realm of migration literature. Such literature often portrays the tension and challenges faced by characters navigating the traditions, norms, and governing policies of both their countries of origin and their host nations. Therefore, in the fictional works addressing immigration, a critical realist perspective reveals an objective and accurate portrayal of reality, highlighting human social issues and challenges in the contemporary era. This study emphasizes the need for comparative and homogeneous research in the field of migration literature to uncover its hidden layers. The research aims to investigate the critical functions of the themes present in two well-known novels from Arabic and Persian literature: "Awlad al-Ghetto: Esmi Adam" by Elias Khouri and Nocturnal Harmony from The Wood Orchestra by Reza Ghasemi, to explore the themes presented in these two novels, which have become a focal point for critical discourse examined through a lens of critical realism. This research has examined the critical role of themes using a descriptive and analytical approach grounded in the American comparative school. The findings of this study reveal that the critical themes shared between the two novels encompass political issues, colonial structures, and the role of intellectuals. In "Awlad al-Ghetto Esmi Adam," these themes are examined with a focus on historical contexts and the portrayal of social realities. In contrast, in Nocturnal Harmony, colonialism is explored in a symbolic and allegorical manner. Among the social themes presented in both books is the issue of alienation and marginalization of migrants. In Awlad al-Ghetto, the narrative transcends the theme of migrant alienation and delves into the plight of Palestinians who have been marginalized and overlooked in the annals of history. Regarding cultural issues, two distinct perspectives on the relationship between religious identity and broader cultural dynamics are evident in the two novels. 
Introduction:
Fictional literature can be analyzed and critiqued from various perspectives, including through the lens of different literary schools. Among these, one of the most significant literary schools whose prominence has not diminished over time is Realism, as Realism possesses untamed meanings. Realist literature often serves as one of the most important sources of social critique.
One type of literature that lends itself to social critique from a realist perspective is migration literature, also known by other names such as "literature of migrants," "exile literature," "diaspora literature," and "intercultural literature. Migration literature, particularly fictional narratives, has rapidly expanded as it delves into social challenges. The critical themes in migration novels address the social, political, and cultural challenges, contradictions, and issues that influence the lives of migrants. These novels often portray the bitter realities and contradictions of life in migration, striving to acquaint readers with the complex conditions and social inequalities migrants face both in their countries of origin and their host countries.
Such works reflect not only the personal and psychological struggles of migrants but also challenge broader social and political issues. Despite variations in the nature and dimensions of migration across different countries, its social, historical, psychological, cultural, and linguistic consequences are largely similar, revealing a common pattern in these experiences. This universality, along with the contemporary prominence of comparative literature, provides an opportunity to explore the themes of migration literature across different regions through a comparative lens.
This study examines two novels Awlad al-Ghetto: Esmi Adam by Elias Khoury and Nocturnal Harmony from The Wood Orchestra by Reza Ghasemi, authored by two renowned storytellers. In Awlad al-Ghetto, Khoury narrates themes of displacement, death, life, silence, exclusion, and the repetition of history. The novel tells the story of a migrant lost between his dual identities—Palestinian and Israeli-constructed—and reflects on displaced migrants who remain marginalized even in their homeland, occupied Palestine. Meanwhile, in Nocturnal Harmony, Ghasemi employs a nonlinear narrative style based on the stream of consciousness, blending the real and unreal. Despite this technique, the novel exhibits critical realist elements that highlight identity crises, cultural contradictions, homelessness, and the marginalization of migrants.
Comparative literature has become one of the most important fields of interest globally. Among the various comparative schools, the American School has garnered significant attention due to its extensive scope of comparative studies. This study adopts the American comparative school, which is closely associated with René Wellek, as his theories have established a unique approach in comparative literature. The American school examines literature beyond national boundaries, emphasizing aesthetics and art as central themes.
Method:
Migration literature, as a significant branch of Realism, explores the experiences of migrants while reflecting the concerns of modern individuals, whether migrants or non-migrants. It sheds light on the dynamics and prevailing environments of both migrant-sending and migrant-receiving societies, emphasizing the need for extensive research in this field.
This study, grounded in the principles of the American Comparative School and its emphasis on the authenticity of similarities, examines the intellectual and artistic frameworks of two novels: Awlad al-Ghetto: Esmi Adam by Elias Khoury and Nocturnal Harmony from The Wood Orchestra by Reza Ghasemi. These two works, both belonging to the domain of migration literature, appear to be entirely different in terms of form and content. Awlad al-Ghetto is a historical novel where the author uses the migration genre to address the issue of occupied Palestine. Conversely, Nocturnal Harmony employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative to highlight the contradictions migrants face, while also presenting a symbolic portrayal of events from a particular period in Iranian history.
Despite these differences, a multilayered reading of the two novels reveals certain similarities. This research employs descriptive and analytical methods, drawing on critical realism, to examine these parallels and provide an in-depth exploration of the two novels.
Results and Discussion:
The critical analysis of the thematic functions in the novels Awlad al-Ghetto: Esmi Adam and Nocturnal Harmony from The Wood Orchestra reveals that both authors critically and realistically depict political, social, and cultural concerns through the lens of migration and its challenges. Despite differences in narrative style, the shared aspects identified in this research are as follows:
Both novels use allegory to reflect colonial structures. In Awlad al-Ghetto: historical contexts are employed to highlight social realities, particularly emphasizing the role of intellectuals in raising awareness. This novel reflects direct colonial domination, portraying the plight of Palestine. In contrast, Nocturnal Harmony indirectly addresses post-colonialism and the loss of independence through symbolic representation.
Both novels portray narrators as intellectuals—albeit non-professional and distant from formal politics—who aim to raise societal awareness about their nations and the world. In Nocturnal Harmony, the narrator achieves this through symbolic characterization, while in Awlad el-Ghetto, the narrator uses a critical discourse to recount historical events in Palestine, fulfilling their role as an intellectual to enlighten society about the Palestinian plight.
Both novels explore the theme of dislocation, depicting the migrant's inability to align with the host society, leading to a sense of alienation. In Awlad al-Ghetto, this alienation extends beyond the migrant's experience in the host country, addressing the historical marginalization of Palestinians. Conversely, in Nocturnal Harmony, the narrator and characters face mental and psychological instability as a result of their detachment from the host society.
The two novels offer distinct perspectives on religious identity and its associated challenges for migrants. In Awlad al-Ghetto, the narrator, struggling with dual Palestinian-Israeli identity, reflects on peaceful interfaith coexistence before and after the occupation of Palestine and condemns the attacks by Jewish settlers. In Nocturnal Harmony, the author adopts a satirical tone, critiquing fear-inducing religious teachings as the source of many of the narrator's fears.
Both novels share a nuanced approach to nostalgia. Rather than expressing an emotional attachment to the past, the narrators exhibit a form of escapism. While the past is presented, it lacks emotional longing and appears as structured storytelling rather than sentimental reminiscing.
This comparative exploration highlights critical and realist themes within the two novels, offering insights into the interconnected issues of migration, identity, and the human condition.