Mikhail Naimy: Fathers and Sons - A Play in Four Acts
In his autobiography Sab ‘un (Seventy), Naimy tells us that the first of his books to be published was Fathers and Sons in 1918. This play was written in 1916 and was first serialized in the al-Funun Newspaper in New York City while the author was still living in Walla Walla in Washington State.
After serious hesitation, Naimy published a second edition of this play which appeared thirty-seven years later in 1953.
Naimy wrote two separate introductions to this play (one for each of the two editions).
Naimy’s play focuses on the social aspect of a difficult life burdened with layers of decayed traditions and outdated norms and customs that have to be discarded if the new generation in his country was to flourish and advance. He writes that the play depicts: “The eternal struggle between fathers and sons and the perpetual difference between the old and the new.”
This English translation is based on the original 1917 version and includes both of Naimy’s introductions plus an extensive critical introduction by the translator.
After serious hesitation, Naimy published a second edition of this play which appeared thirty-seven years later in 1953.
Naimy wrote two separate introductions to this play (one for each of the two editions).
Naimy’s play focuses on the social aspect of a difficult life burdened with layers of decayed traditions and outdated norms and customs that have to be discarded if the new generation in his country was to flourish and advance. He writes that the play depicts: “The eternal struggle between fathers and sons and the perpetual difference between the old and the new.”
This English translation is based on the original 1917 version and includes both of Naimy’s introductions plus an extensive critical introduction by the translator.
