The Desert Odyssey: symbolism of the desert in French-speaking Algerian literature

Abstract

Abstract: The desert, as a geographical and symbolic framework, occupies a prominent place in the Algerian literary imaginary and has been addressed by many French-speaking writers. For some novelists, the desert is much more than just a dry landscape, it is a place of discovery, transcendence and transformation. The desert is often used to symbolize themes such as loneliness, the quest for meaning, marginality, wandering, and resistance. It becomes a space where the main characters confront their own inner demons, seek their identity or express their rebellion. The desert functions as a poetic and symbolic space, it is indeed becoming a place of contemplation, meditation and exploration of the human psyche. It is often the place where different identities intersect, including Berber, Arab, and French cultures. The writers explore the intercultural dynamics that emerge in ther context, thus offering deep reflections on the issues of identity and coexistence. Therefore, ther article aims to explore the different representations of the desert in French- Algerian literature, highlighting its importance as a space of meaning and rich metaphors. It will highlight how the desert is used as a place of encounter and cultural conflict, and also it will look at the metaphors associated with the desert in Algerian literature. We will try to highlight the diversity of desert representations in the literary text that is both a geographical space, a symbolic framework and a source of poetic inspiration, offering writers a fertile ground for exploring universal themes while reflecting the hertory and culture of Algeria. Keywords: desert, desert writing, Algerian literature, identity, intersection space, representation.