From Enculturation to Acculturation in Arab American Literature in the Global Era: the case of Mohja Kahf’s The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf (2006) and Laila Halaby’s Once in a Promised Land (2007)

Abstract

The current research sheds light on the acculturation process among ArabAmericans. Based on Berry’s acculturation theory, which focuses on acculturation strategies; assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization. The analysis is achieved through two prominent novels written by Arab American female writers. The study focuses on the acculturation adjustment of Khadra Shamy in The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf (2006), by Mohja Kahf, and the assimilation status of Salwa Haddad in Once in a Promised Land (2007), written by Leila Halaby. The study revealed that the protagonists of both novels acculturate differently to the host culture. Their different backgrounds, social status, and their purpose in living in the United States have made all the difference in their acculturative process.