The Unspoken in Arabic Proverbs and Sayings

Abstract

Arabic proverbs and sayings have gained widespread popularity due to their distinctive artistic and substantive characteristics. They have influenced human behavior and imposed absolute cultural patterns that are beyond criticism. However, a careful examination of some of these proverbs reveals that they conceal a set of values aimed at subjugating and objectifying Man, preventing the spread of alternative values capable of realizing Man’s humanity and liberating it from the stagnation perpetuated by the cultural and ideological system permeating Arabic proverbs and sayings, concealed by their literary and aesthetic appeal. Cultural criticism has assumed the function of analysis and review, imposing an alternative approach to literary criticism to reveal the flaws that target Man in all his religious, social, and moral dimensions... and working to eliminate them and liberate humanity. This research draws on the corpus of Arabic proverbs and sayings to demonstrate their artistic characteristics that have obscured their true nature. It seeks to uncover the ideology hidden behind what is stated, expose its impact on the recipient, and offer ways to free humanity from the constraints of culture and ideology.