BRIDGING EAST AND WEST: EXPLORING CULTURAL HYBRIDITY IN AMEEN RIHANI’S THE BOOK OF KHALID

Abstract

Ameen Rihani’s The Book of Khalid (1911) is a seminal work of Arab-American literature that bridges East and West by examining cultural, spiritual, and political exchanges. This paper explores the protagonist Khalid as a character who navigates geographical and symbolic worlds, challenging rigid structures of nationalism, colonialism, and cultural conformity. Khalid’s journey from Lebanon to New York and back symbolizes fluid, hybrid identities that go beyond the binary of self and other. His philosophical and spiritual transformation reflects tensions between stability and mobility, resisting colonial hegemony and proposing a transnational vision of identity. By analyzing themes of space, identity, and cultural hybridity, the paper highlights the novel’s engagement with global cultural dynamics in the early 20th century.