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The
American
University in
Cairo
The
Pursuit of Absence:
MA Thesis -- © 1999 Hazem M. Azmy |
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Like the texts it sets to explicate, this thesis is only the outcome of many narratives in which friends and dear ones have always been acting as my helpers in this seemingly quixotic pursuit – a pursuit of absence, if you will. If this acknowledgement goes a bit long, it only shows the measure of my indebtedness to these individuals.
First and foremost, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my parents, for their never-ending support and the sense of security they have given when I wanted it most. They have waited so long for this moment to come true; I am glad that their waiting has finally been rewarded.
To three of my professors at the AUC's department of English and comparative literature I am indebted for my intellectual formation: Dr. James Stone, my adviser; Professor Ferial Ghazoul, my second reader; and, in absentia, Dr. Daniel Vitkus, a one-time professor of mine to whom I am indebted for introducing me to the rigors of literary theory and the new historicist approach to theater and culture.Dr. Stone believed in me and my work when I most needed this belief. A few days after I first discussed the idea of this research with him, I met him by chance and he told me that he had been discussing my research with friends. Indeed, this excitement of his about my work, his tolerance of my wayward writing and submission habits, and above all, his willingness to contribute insightful comments to my long-gestated work, have all been instrumental in making this thesis a reality.To Professor Ghazoul I am indebted for providing me with a role model. Quite often, I spot myself writing to her acceptance, with her voice internalized somewhere in the darker regions of my mind. Such is the lasting influence that an inspiring teacher can have over his/her students' intellectual growth, even when this professor does not know about it.
I would also like to thank Professor Mahmoud El-Lozy of the department of performing and visual arts for generously taking some time out to read an earlier version of this thesis and to offer many insightful comments and suggestions for improvement.
Words fail to express my indebtedness to Dr. David Wilmsen, my friend and my supervisor at the Arabic and Translation Studies, CACE at AUC. If my professors have contributed to my intellectual formation, David, as my best friend, has helped me to develop as a human being. Indeed, his support in times of trouble, but also his unwavering belief in my potential as both a teacher and a researcher, has always been a motive for me to live up to his expectations.
Hazem Shehata, a friend and a mentor, has been a driving force behind this research, never failing to boost my morale by stressing the relevance of my research to the Egyptian context, but also acting at times as a "research buddy" with whom I could discuss my "findings" and test their relevance. He went one step further by helping me to address the theater community in Egypt on dramaturgy and the dramaturg’s practice, thus confirming my determination to pursue what in times of difficulty seemed like an impossible pursuit. In more ways than one, this work would have never been written without Hazem.
It has been a long time since I saw Indji El-Solh last. For all I know, however, this thesis would have never come to light without her generous support and her kindness in allowing me to serve as dramaturg in her production. In dedicating this thesis to her, I am in fact giving back to her what belongs to her.
To the actors in the AUC production I am indebted for many of the observations and intuitive insights that made my work possible. Like with Indji, this thesis is only the outcome of their creative work.
Also, I would like to dedicate this thesis to a group of my friends at the department of English and comparative literature, who stood beside me and helped me pursue my work with determination. This work is thus dedicated to Munire Vecdi ("my sweet Turkish delight"), Dalia El-Tayyeb ("my sweet nemesis"), Rehab El-Qobtan (well...mm!), Marwa El-Naggar, and Walid El-Hamamsy. I am particularly indebted to Marwa for kindly reading an early draft of my introduction and providing me with many an insightful comment. I also dedicate this work to my ECLT colleague Iman El-Nouhy for her continual nagging of me about my progress, which was a strong impetus for me to tease her by finishing my thesis in the best shape I could.
I am particularly indebted to Ms. Abla Osman of the Registrar's Office and Ms. Mona Misbah, assistant at the department of English and comparative literature, for all the support and assistance they have provided me with throughout my study at the AUC.
This thesis is also dedicated to all the administrators and secretarial staff of the Arabic and Translation Studies, CACE. By this I mean: Mr. Abdelaziz Hamdy, Mr. Fathy Osman, Ms. Hamdia Diab, and Ms. Elham Mahmoud. Without the support they have given me during the final stages of this thesis this work would not have been possible.
To Iman Mourad, now a distinguished translator at the IMF, I am indebted for sending me many of the reference books that I needed for this research, but also for her encouragement and the care she has never failed to show me despite “the lands and seas between us” as we once put it in one of our sporadic e-mails.
I would also like to thank Dr. Medhat Rabie of Al-Azhar University and Sahar Talat, a distinguished TV journalist in her own right, for being there for me whenever I needed them.
Last but not least, I would like to dedicate this thesis to all my students, past and present. Indeed, it was my need to live up to their expectations of me that encouraged to put as much of myself into this work as humanly possible.
