Investigating The Symbols of Resistance in Egyptian Poetry (A case study: Amal Donqol)

Using symbols is a salient feature of Arabic poetry. To awaken the sleeping conscience of his countrymen and in order to retrieve the humane values among them, the Egyptian poet, Amal Donqol (d. 1983), appealed to Arabic/Islamic heritage and myths in his poems which served as a mirror reflecting all factors behind deprivation and disappointment of Arabs in the time of being. Resorting to great figures in history, he attempted to engender the spirit of resistance in his nation. Most of his characters appear as revolutionary and rebellious in a way that they never give in to the existing conditions, even if their effort ends in a defeat. It seems that Amal Donqol conceals his personal tendencies behind such characters. As a result, he has chosen symbols which, despite all disappointments, are always tinted with something of a resistance. That's why the critics have called Donqol ' The poet of Revolt'.