Characteristics of Syrian romanism in the 20th century: between tradition and realism

the article explores the evolution of Syrian prose in the 20th century, with a focus on the novel as the leading literary genre. It analyzes the interaction between traditional Arabic narrative forms and the influences of European literature – particularly Russian, French, and German literary models. Special emphasis is placed on how Syrian writers critically adapted these foreign traditions to express local realities, national identity, and the Arabic language. The study outlines the major developmental stages of the Syrian novel, identifying the 1920s-1930s as the formative phase, the 1940s-1960s as the period of realist expansion, and the 1970s–1980s as an era of psychological depth and social engagement. The contribution of prominent writers such as Hanna Mina, Maaruf al-Arnaut, and Shakib al-Jabiri is examined in terms of both thematic innovation and narrative structure. The paper also considers the role of literary criticism in shaping the novel’s trajectory, highlighting key figures such as M.J.A. al-Musawi and Nabil Suleiman. The research concludes that Syrian romanticism, with its synthesis of realism and experimentation, established a foundation for 21st-century prose. The findings may be useful for further comparative literary studies and for understanding how regional literature contributes to global literary trends.

Syrian literature, Arabic novel, Hanna Mina, realism, Nahda, historical novel, Arabic criticism, Oriental studies