Magda M. Al-Nowaihi's essay(chapter 14) "'Middle East" Or.../Arabic Literature and the Postcolonial Predicament" describes different pieces of Arabic Literature - that Al-Nowaihi says she "feel[s] more comfortable with [her] abilities to overcome externally imposed, and internalized, limitations," rather than the description "middle east," which is a term created by the Occident (p.285). The idea to "overcome externally imposed, and internalized, limitations" is intriguing. Since, the oppressive colonizers of the Arab countries have externally imposed values/ideals/expectations etc., internalized limitations (limiting oneself) occur within those either oppressed or formerly oppressed. This internalized limitations causes an unending oppression which the oppressor caused even after having left centuries ago. This continues because "with Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt, the Arab world could not let Europe be, because Europe could not let the Arab world be." The same for the United States (militarily, economically, and culturally) (p.286). In an attempt to overcome and gain control over the situation, the national Egyptian Literature demonizes Europeans and anything European (287/288). Although, the "neoclassical" literature of Egypt is composed of the -neo: European (French) influence on Egyptian writing; -classical: Arabic influence.

The essay is filled with historical snippets that are significant in Arabic literature, and provides details on some Arabic writings. Two in particular, that I would be interested in reading, are The Pessoptimist and Men in the Sun, both of Palestinian authors. The essay provides valuable information to Arabic literature.