Renditions of Human Crisis in Narratives
Dr. Mahmoud Radwan provided an enlightening examination of crisis narratives in his presentation, "Renditions of Human Crisis in Narratives," at a webinar hosted by the Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University on January 25, 2023. His exploration encompassed various narrative forms and their elements, including loss, blame, renewal, heroism, and recovery often depicted in such stories.
Commencing with a thought-provoking question — do narratives drive human crises — Dr. Radwan elaborated on the role of creative writing in shaping and managing these narratives. He noted that we inhabit an unpredictable world, punctuated by climate change and emerging diseases. Environmental degradation often incites a communication void, psychological discomfort, and a sense of loss. Furthermore, he explained that narratives frequently mirror the turbulence born out of such crises, serving as a tool to counter uncertainty.
Dr. Radwan pointed out the stark contrast between learning about a crisis from the news and through a work of art. News reports, he suggested, present crisis facts rigidly, making it challenging for average readers to digest. Creative works, conversely, depict chaotic events sequentially, establishing structures based on cause and effect patterns. These narratives, he argued, frame meaning within blame and responsibility contexts, ultimately determining accountability and necessary actions. He also referenced the thoughts of Benoit, Birkland, and Heath on the role of narratives.
Dr. Radwan highlighted notable crisis narratives: Chimamanda Adichie's "Americanah" (2013) examines the crisis of cultural deracination; Paul Kalanithi's "When Breath Becomes Air" (2016) addresses the mortality crisis; Barbara Kingsolver's "Flight Behavior" (2012) tackles climate change, encapsulating "solastalgia" and "speciestalgia"; and Graham Elder's "Covid-19 Odyssey: A Pandemic Story" frames COVID-19 as a disruptor of normal life dynamics and routines.
In conclusion, Dr. Radwan acknowledged that crises occur and will likely continue with increasing frequency. To navigate these catastrophic episodes, he emphasized the need to remodel our roles within the cosmos and construct a new paradigm. This reimagined model should be inclusive, sustainable, and founded on collective solidarity.
The webinar was highly engaging and interactive, with attendees contributing valuable insights throughout the session. Overall, the event was widely regarded as a substantial success.
