The Slavery Narrative and the Real and Fictional Representations in the Character of Estevanico: A Case Study of Abderrahim Al-Khassar’s Novel Jaziratu al-Buka’i al-Tawil (Weeping Island)

Authors

• Said Elaimari, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, Casablanca-Settat, MoroccoFollow

Abstract

This article studies Abderrahim Al-Khassar’s novel Jaziratu al-Buka’i al-Tawil (Weeping Island) by tracing Estevanico as a central character throughout the narrative. It highlights the functional role of the slavery narrative in structuring the novel and connects it to the identity lost through Estevanico’s social labeling as a slave. The study shows how the novel draws on both real and fictional representations: on the one hand, it revisits Cabeza de Vaca’s historical account and its inferior portrayal of Estevanico as a black slave; on the other, it reconstructs Estevanico’s life before enslavement and reshapes his image in Amerindian lands in a way that acknowledges his contribution to the discovery of the New World.

Recommended Citation

Elaimari, Said (2025) "The Slavery Narrative and the Real and Fictional Representations in the Character of Estevanico: A Case Study of Abderrahim Al-Khassar’s Novel Jaziratu al-Buka’i al-Tawil (Weeping Island)," Soroud: The journal of Literacy Criticism: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 13.
Available at: https://scholarhub.univh2c.ma/soroud/vol8/iss1/13