One Thousand and One Nights in Literature

What connections can be made between “One Thousand and One Nights” and fantasy novels throughout history? Furthermore, how have the tales of mythical creatures inspired authors and what themes do these works share?

A Westernized Vision of One Thousand and One Nights Courier Company. “The Arabian Nights.” A Thousand and One Nights: Arabian Story-Telling in World Literature, 2017. https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2017/10/a-thousand-and-one-nights-arabian-story-telling-in-world-literature/. Accessed 2021.

## Introduction

For my research question, I chose to examine how *One Thousand and One Nights* has continued to impact fantasy literature. Its magical tales of love, loss, and hardship resonate with readers for hundreds of years. In my research, I will study how authors from across the globe have found this text to be formative to their own writing.

Fantasy is a genre of literature which has maintained popularity for decades. Many of the most well-loved novels of recent centuries - such as Dracula and Lord of The Rings - represent modern interpretations of ancient themes also present in *One Thousand and One Nights*. The Middle Eastern practices of storytelling and linguistic traditions which abound in *One Thousand and One Nights* have inspired many Western authors. Through the lens of my work and study as a writer, I will consider these themes through close readings of these works and examine the larger significance in literature.

## Mythical Creatures In Arabian Literature

*One Thousand and One Nights* is filled with references to mystical animals and creatures. The beliefs expressed represent uniquely Arabian culture, through creatures who transcend the physical realm. As an example, we can examine the *Story of Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal*. This story features references to the mythical creature of jinn as highlighted through the following lines: “The ghoul cried out: ‘O man, and thou desire to slay me, strike me a second stroke’. As this man was about to hit it again, his fellowman said: ‘Smite him not a second time, for then he will not die, but will live and destroy us’ (1886-8, vol. 7, 361)”.

Illustration of a Conversation Between Shahrazad and Shahrayar (One Thousand and One Nights) Lane, Edward. “Shahrazad and Shahrayar in ‘The Thousand and One Nights, Commonly Called, in England, the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments.’ .” A Thousand and One Nights: Arabian Story-Telling in World Literature, 2017, https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2017/10/a-thousand-and-one-nights-arabian-story-telling-in-world-literature/. Accessed 2021.
This tale focuses around Sayf al'Muluk’s quest to marry the woman he has fallen in love with, however he must first slay the jinn. These lines indicate the importance of mythical creatures to the advancement of the plot within this story and *One Thousand and One Nights* overall. In the *Story of Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal*, jinn are described as evil creatures who are not to be trusted, and human-jinn marriages are not recommended. Here, the jinn had attempted to convince him to “strike him again” to kill the jinn, when in fact this would only make him stronger. Not only is the jinn attempting to outsmart humans, he is attempting to do so under the guise of helping them survive. The concept of utilizing a non-human creature to represent human morals is common throughout ancient literature. The inclusion of jinn in this tale provides the tale with a uniquely Arabian element, while also providing real-life context. Princess Badi’s expression of the jinn prejudices against humans (that they are generally dangerous and hostile) shows her unique take on the world based on her encounters with the supernatural.

## Fantasy Novel Comparisons

Cover Of Bram Stoker's Dracula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DraculaThere are many examples of modern works of fantasy and science fiction which include similar themes to *One Thousand and One Nights*. *Dracula* by Bram Stoker provides a more modern example of writing which utilizes fantastical elements to develop its morals. While the Story of *Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal* focuses on jinn, Stoker centers his work on vampiric entities based on the local culture of Eastern Europe. In Grigore Nandris’ article *The Historical Dracula: The Theme of His Legend in the Western and in the Eastern Literatures of Europe,* he writes “Due to the fundamental attitude of the human mind towards the visible and the invisible world of mystery, folklore elements, identical in form and in meaning, without genetic relationship to each other, appear in widely separated areas” (376).

To further examine these elements, we can look at the following quote from the novel: “Whilst the old fox is tied in his box, floating on the running stream whence he cannot escape to land--where he dares not raise the lid of his coffin-box lest his Slovak carriers should in fear leave him to perish--we shall go in the track where Jonathan went,--from Bistritz over the Borgo, and find our way to the Castle of Dracula. Here, Madam Mina's hypnotic power will surely help, and we shall find our way--all dark and unknown otherwise--after the first sunrise when we are near that fateful place” (Stoker). In this quote from *Dracula,* Dr. Van Helsing is explaining the group's plan to finally kill Count Dracula. Similarly to *Story of Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal*, the decision to destroy the mythological creature in the tale plays a large role in the fates of the characters. The above quote highlights the significance of their trip, as Mina was in a trance devised by the Count and she had lost a significant amount of blood in the weeks since her first encounter with Count Dracula. For these characters, their journey to overcome the creature they face is not only a life or death struggle, but an attempt to avoid the fate of Mina becoming a vampire herself.

## Connections

Typical elements of the fantasy genre include heroes and villains, monster-like creatures, and often seemingly impossible events. In one Thousand and One Nights, we see an introduction of these motifs. In the *Story of Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal* and the excerpt from *Dracula*, the shared themes of fate and destiny connect characters with very different backgrounds, however the overarching theme of defeating an evil mythological creature remains the same.

According to Ahmed Al-Rawi at the Rustaq College of Applied Sciences, “To sum up, according to the Prophet Muhammed, ghouls are the demons or enchantresses of genies that hurt human beings by eating or spoiling their food or by frightening travelers when they are in the wilderness” (47). In many ways, this is similar to vampire traditions associated with the Transylvania region. While the jinn attempt to negatively affect the lives of humans, vampires seek to continue their supernatural life by sustaining themselves off through mortal souls.

## Conclusion

When considering the origins of modern genres such as science fiction and fantasy, it is important to consider the origins of such works. *One Thousand and One Nights* has inspired works of literature in both the West and East. This unique collection of tales has provided us with beloved characters which have fueled many film, stage, and novel adaptations.

These tales and fantasy novels include characters going on spectacular missions and journeys to accomplish their goals. Both also include creatures and animals who have abilities beyond what is understood or exists within another realm. Although fantasy may seem like a more modern genre of literature, ancient tales such as *One Thousand and One Nights* have provided much inspiration to the development of the genre.

## References

Hankins, Rebecca. “Countering The Master Narrative: Islamic Science Fiction & Fantasy .” *Oaktrust*, 15 Apr. 2010, https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/92228/Hankins%20-%20Islamic%20Science%20Fiction%20(2).pdf?sequence=5.

Medievalists.net. “The Arabian Nights: Medieval Fantasy and Modern Forgery.” *Medievalists.net*, 23 May 2020, https://www.medievalists.net/2020/05/the-arabian-nights-medieval-fantasy-and-modern-forgery/.

On Why the Arabian Nights Matters so Much to Fantasy: Arabian Fantasy Literature.” *The Stranger's Bookshelf*, 2 July 2013, https://thestrangersbookshelf.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/on-why-the-arabian-nights-matters-so-much-to-fantasy-arabian-fantasy-literature/.

Al-Rawi , Ahmed. “The Mythical Ghoul in Arabic Culture .” *Researchgate*, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Al-Rawi-2/publication/277816715\_The\_Mythical\_Ghoul\_in\_Arabic\_Culture/links/5574cecf08ae7536374ff1e6/The-Mythical-Ghoul-in-Arabic-Culture.pdf.

Stoker , Bram. Dracula. Baronet Books, 2018.

Nandris, Grigore. “The Historical Dracula: The Theme of His Legend in the Western and in the Eastern Literatures of Europe.” *Penn State University Press*, vol. 3, 1966, pp. 367–396.