Liminality in Abulhawa’s The Blue between Sky and Water and Alyan’s The Arsonists’ City

Abstract

This paper explores the pathetic condition of Palestinians as depicted by Palestinian American writers: Susan Abulhawa in The Blue between Sky and Water (2015) and Hala Alyan in The Arsonists' City (2021) through Victor Turner’s concept of liminality. Palestine has been the stage for devastating tragedies, with Palestinians enduring brutal massacres, forced abductions, and sexual exploitation at the hands of Israelis since the mid-20th century onward. Consequently, Palestinians grapple with anxieties, uncertainties, and profound doubts about their future due to Israeli violence. Through the lens of liminality, this study investigates how both Palestinian writers portray the Palestinian tragic experience amidst devastating events by addressing themes of migration, discrimination, and promoting understanding and acceptance across diverse cultural backgrounds. This paper explores the Palestinians’ painful experiences, which are transmitted to their descendants via colonization.