Call for Book Chapters 

Title:  The Father in the Diasporic Literatures of America

Editor: Prof. Hamid Masfour

Dept. of English

Faculty of Arts and Humanities,Sultan Moulay Slimane University

Beni Mellal, Morocco

h.masfour@usms.ma

Deadline for abstract submission: August15,2024

Book Argument

Deeply sensitive to various cultural, psychological, and literary contexts, the father figure symbolism has been intricately complex, diverse, dynamic and rich in implications. In many cultures, the father is seen as a symbol of authority, discipline, societal order and control. In different mythologies and religions, Gods manifest as father figures representing supreme authority and power in Greek mythology(Zeus), standing for  an all-father, wise and powerful deity in Norse mythology(Odin) , and embodying the ultimate paternal archetype in Christianity (God the Father).In psychology, particularly in the work of Carl Jung and Lacan, the father figure is an archetype representing authority, order, and the law, influencing an individual's sense of identity, authority, and relationship with societal structures. In literature and psychoanalysis, the father figure is often a source of conflict, symbolizing the complex dynamics of authority, rebellion, and individuation. In a broader societal context, the father figure extends beyond the family to symbolize the patriarchal head of a community or nation and encompass leadership and governance. However, although fathers are traditionally viewed as protectors and providers for their families’ security and economic support, and although they are traditionally represented as role models providing wisdom and guidance and ensuring the transmission of cultural and moral values, in modern times the father figure is perceived within a more holistic view of fatherhood including emotional support and nurturing.

This volume is intended to explore the figure of the father in diasporic literatures as being a significant complex symbol underlying themes of authority, tradition, displacement, and identity. Fathers in these literary narratives often embody the tensions between maintaining cultural heritage and adapting to new environments, reflecting the broader struggles of diasporic communities in the U.S.A. and the multidimensional experiences of families facing the challenges of migration and cultural change.

            In many works of diasporic literatures, fathers are depicted as the guardians of cultural and religious traditions to explore how they negotiate the balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to new American cultural contexts. They often represent the continuity of cultural values and their transmission to the next generation. This portrayal underscores the father's role in maintaining cultural identity within the family, often creating a source of tension as younger generations seek to forge their own identities in a new cultural context. Similarly, fathers in diasporic literatures frequently represent traditional patriarchal authority and manifest the influence of paternal authority on the identity formation of children within diasporic families, and the shifting dynamics of power and authority in foreign contexts. Also, the diasporic father’s roles often highlight the struggles between adherence to traditional gender roles and the push for more egalitarian family relationships. Such narratives explore the dynamics of power within the family and the challenges of reconciling traditional patriarchal structures with contemporary American values of gender equality. Likewise, the theme of the absent father, whether through physical absence or emotional detachment, is another significant motif. This absence often symbolizes the fragmentation of family structures and cultural dislocation. The absent father often represents the disruption caused by migration and the difficulties of maintaining familial bonds across distances and multi-ethnic cultures based in the American melting pot.

            Interestingly, the experience of displacement and exile profoundly affects the father figure, often portrayed as struggling with feelings of loss, alienation, and the challenge of providing for their families in a foreign land. This depiction in diasporic literatures  highlights the impact of migration and exile on the paternal role, and the emotional and psychological challenges faced by fathers in the diaspora, where they often bear the responsibility of ensuring their family’s survival and integration into a new society. Also, central to the narratives of many diasporic works is intergenerational conflict as a recurring theme, with fathers often representing the old world and children under the magnet of American values. These stories reflect the broader tensions between maintaining cultural continuity and adapting to new cultural environments, illustrating the struggles of identity formation within diasporic families, besides the evolving roles and expectations of fathers, reflecting broader changes in societal norms and gender dynamics within the obligations of American culture.

            Through the above mentioned representations and themes, diasporic authors turn the father, as a bearer of rich cultural implications, into a tool of scrutiny to unfold the intricate dynamics of family, identity, and cultural heritage, and to provide deep understanding of the  diasporic experience. These literary representations not only illuminate the significant role of fathers in shaping the lives and identities of their families but also reflect the broader cultural and societal tensions and transformations within the  diasporas located in the U.SA.

With the aim to explore the diverse representations of fatherhood in the diasporic literatures of America, we invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners to contribute original chapters to this edited volume through a variety of critical literary and cultural approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Suggested Topics

We welcome chapters on topics related to the figure of The father in the Diasporic Literatures of America, including but not limited to:

-The father as guardian of cultural and religious traditions and an agent of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage within diasporic communities.

-The impact of migration and exile on paternal identity and  family dynamics.

     - Tensions between fathers and children over cultural identity and assimilation in   mainstream American culture

-Generational differences and the evolving roles of fathers within diasporic families

-Physical or emotional paternal absence, and its effects on family dynamics and identity formation.

- Masculinity and fatherhood in diasporic literatures.

-Narratives of fathers on the scars of conflict, war, and displacement

Submission :

• Abstract Submission: Please submit an abstract of 300 words with a short bio of 150 words
• Full Chapter Submission: Upon acceptance of the abstract, full chapters should be 6,000-7,000 words, including references.
• Formatting: Submissions should follow the latest version of MLA(12 Times New Roman,1.5 space)
• Submission Email: h.masfour@usms.ma

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: August15,2024
• Notification of Acceptance: August 21, 2024
• Full Chapter Submission Deadline: November30,2024
•  Publication Date: January30, 2025

Contact Information

For any inquiries , please contact:

 Hamid Masfour,

Associate Professor of Anglo-American Literature

 and Cultural Studies

Department of English,Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Sultan Moulay Slimane University,

Beni Mellal, Morocco,

h.masfour@usms.ma