Nayla By Youmna Chlala

780 Words2 Pages

In “Nayla,” Youmna Chlala talks about the power of memory and nostalgia as Nayla, the protagonist, reflects on her past experiences and grapples with the impact of displacement. In her story, Chlala provides accounts of the narrator’s experiences with her new friend, Nayla, and how instrumental the friendship has been towards self-discovery and voicing out. Throughout the account, Chlala includes various symbols emphasizing the importance of resilience, especially during hardships; through symbolic representations, Chlala utilizes the voices of the characters to convey their personal tragedies, illuminating the complexities of human experience and the universal quest for overcoming personal losses and showing empathy. (change thesis) The presence …show more content…

Deeply rooted in Lebanese culture, cedarwood symbolizes resilience, strength, and continuity. The powerful scent of cedarwood infusing the belongings provides the narrator and her mother with a tangible connection to their lost sister and offers a possibility to move forward and overcome their difficulties. Moreover, the mother’s reluctance to “rarely mention her name” after “she ran away” indicates the family’s inability to face their adversity, indicating the profound impact of loss on their lives (Chlala 66). Through the symbolism of the cedarwood-infused belongings and the mother's actions, Chlala captures the complexity of grief and the family's journey towards healing and resilience amidst their longing for the lost sister. The presence of the untouched records near the record player in Nayla’s room symbolizes her efforts to overcome her grief following her husband’s death. Across the story, Chlala characterizes Nayla as a desolate woman trying to assimilate into her new life after

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