Contribution of Mahmood Taimur to the Development of Arabic Short Story: An analytical Study

Mahmood Taimur is considered as one of the pioneers of Arabic short story. He was largely influenced by Mikhai’l Nu’ima, Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti and Jibran Khalil Jibran. Taimur occupies an eminent place in the development of Arabic short story as Najib Mahfouz in the case of Arabic novel and Taufiq al-Hakim in drama. He was able to present different types of stories such as Realism, Romanticism, Social and Historical. He was well-versed in these types of stories. Taimur was particularly influenced by the works of Maupassant, Tolstoy, Turgenev and Chekhov. Later a large number of writers, playwrights and novelists were influenced by his literary styles, techniques and principles. Taimur’s conscious desire to root the short story in Egyptian literary life led him to use all that he observed of rural life in his summer visit to the country, and all that he had grasped from that world of traditional intellectuals who surrounded his father. However his works broadened and delicate the artistic and conceptual qualities of the Arabic short story, his concentration on characterization, especially hopeless, injured and defeated figures, was a step forward in the development of this genre. There are aspects in his diverse persona which demand scholarly debate and close scrutiny and require an objective assessment. In this brief article efforts will be made to bring to throw light on his all-around personality in an objective manner and coherent style