Mimoun: an orientalist approach to Rafael Chirbes’ novel

Abstract

Rafael Chirbes’ novel Mimoun depends completely on the orientalist discourse which, according to Edward Said, the Western world has created and reaffirmed on the Arab world. In fact, the novel narrates the life of Manuel, a Spanish professor who emigrates to Morocco, believing that there he will find the favourable conditions to develop as a teacher and writer. However, as days go by, Manuel begins to experience a progressive decline in his behaviour as well as in his habits. This process of regression may be understood from an orientalist view, since Manuel finally does nothing but “Arabize” himself.