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Ghassan Kanafani, widely recognised as a trailblazer in the realm of Palestinian resistance literature, has garnered significant attention and undergone extensive scrutiny through various readings and studies. This paper examines the literary contributions of Kanafani from the perspective of Palestinian identity, with a specific focus on the historical context of the Nakba. The theoretical framework employed in this study is Benedict Anderson's concept of national identity. This study uses the character analysis method to examine the development of Palestinian identity in the main characters of Kanafani's novel Return to Haifa. To examine the progressive development of individuals' self-awareness of within the narrative, uncovering the impact of trauma resulting from the Nakba on both individual and collective identities, specifically via the lens of traumatic collective memory. This analysis underscores the novel's portrayal of Palestinian resistance literature, emphasizing on the political strife and the profound sense of national identity experienced by the Palestinian populace. In light of the aforementioned context, the finding reveals that the character Khalid embodies the qualities of resilience and forward thinking throughout Palestinian society. This portrayal contributes to the formation of a collective Palestinian identity, referred to as a "imagined community," which seeks to unite Palestinians residing in diverse geographical locations. The study aims to shed light on the significance of Palestinian resistance literature in cultivating a resilient sense of identity within the ongoing pursuit of Palestinian self-determination.
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